Harry McKay | 2020 Season Review
Written by Joseph Addamo
Throughout the 2020 off-season, Blue Abroad will be providing content to cover everything you need to know about the Carlton Football Club.
After a largely improved season, we will be reviewing every player that pulled on the famous Navy Blue guernsey in 2020.
This is the Blue Abroad Player Review for Carlton’s co-captain and #10 – Harry McKay.
SEASON SYNOPSIS
Carlton’s leading goalkicker for the 2020 season (from just 13 games), Harry McKay’s athletic ability and dynamism was on full display when fit. Although injury interrupted at times, ‘H’ looked as if he were ready to take that elusive next step and break apart the competition. He kicked multiple goals across 6 games and was the Blues key figure in attack, in the absence of Charlie Curnow.
Among key forwards, McKay rated elite for marks inside 50 per game (2.5) and shots at goal (3.8). He also ranked above average for total marks per game (4.4), frees for (1.1), goals (1.6), contested marks (1.5) and marks on lead (1.3). As he has throughout his career to date, McKay struggled with goal accuracy, rating below average among key forwards at just 42.9%. His set shot routine and kicking at goal is a glaring issue, with ‘H’ often resorting to a play-on snap across his body instead of lining up.
If McKay can sharpen up his set shot accuracy in the offseason, there’s no telling what ‘H’s ceiling might be in 2021 and beyond.
BEST PERFORMANCE
McKay managed 3+ goals in 4 games of the 13 he played this season. He kicked 3 goals in the goal-fest against the Western Bulldogs, backing up the same performance one round later in the heartbreaking loss after the siren to Port Adelaide. He also bagged himself 3 more against Brisbane in the final round, but his most dominant display came against the Adelaide Crows in Round 17.
In a dour first-half display against the now-wooden spooners, the Blues found themselves at a 44-point deficit going into the main break, and McKay found himself goalless. A second half spark saw the Blues claw their way to an eventual 16-point loss, with ‘H’ leading from the front in the fightback. Opposed to Jordan Butts, who managed to keep McKay relatively quiet for the first half, ‘H’ kicked truly for his first of the game at the 10-minute mark of the third quarter. From there he finished with 4 goals (at 80% accuracy) from 5 contested marks inside 50.
With the return of his forward counterpart Charlie Curnow in 2021, more performances like this from McKay can be expected as both will look to share the load inside 50.
OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK
McKay is contracted to Carlton until the end of 2021, after signing a two-year contract extension at the end of the 2018 season. While he is technically locked away, debate over capitalizing on McKay’s trade value in contrast to extending his contract further still reared its head in the aftermath of the 2020 season.
Both Cameron Mooney and Bob Murphy gave emphatic opinions on McKay’s value to the Blues, with Mooney, in particular, emphasizing the need to re-sign him as quickly as possible:
Harry is the key forward for the next five to eight years… I’m signing him up now because next year if (Carlton) haven’t signed him, there are 17 other clubs banging on the door… he’s 6ft 8in, 100kg and nimble, beautiful left peg… – Cameron Mooney
He’s got such a physical advantage… it’s where he wins the ball, he’s so big but he’s able to get off his opponent. – Bob Murphy
What would you like to see done with McKay this offseason heading into 2021? Re-sign, or test the trade waters?
2020 REPORT CARD RATING
B+
STATUS HEADING INTO 2021
Consistent Senior Player
