An athletic big man who often showed the potential to take an extra step to the top level. McKee did not follow the standard path for recruits, opting to make a name for himself with his country club Myrtleford where he won a best and fairest with Myrtleford in 1996.

Big strong and mobile, he came down to play for Richmond reserves in 1997 and in 1998 was blooded in the ones for seven games. Richmond's surfeit of big men made them willing to negotiate a trade deal and he crossed to Collingwood, but the arrival of Josh Fraser limited his opportunities in 2000.

McKee showed he was a willing worker and he had every chance to nail down a ruck position in 2001, but by season's end he was languishing in the reserves.

He came back strongly in 2002 and had his best AFL season. A strong and worthy toiler who was No.1 ruckman in the 2002 Grand Final. After the early stages of 2003 he slipped out of the side.