Harry McKay | 2021 Season Review

Written by Ari Stamatakos

SEASON SYNOPSIS

It was all set of Harry. After the news in the pre-season that Charlie Curnow’s comeback would be delayed until the latter half of 2021, it was Harry’s time to shine. After a very good opening two games of the year, in which he kicked 6 goals. Against the dockers. Under the roof at Marvel, was where we all found out just how good he was. 7 goals later, Harry was here. He kicked 6 not long after against the Lions, before a string of consistently good - but not great - games saw him hit the bye at the top of the Coleman medal tally. He continued his good form after the bye, kicking goals after goals, to end the season with 58, and a maiden Coleman Medal. This feat was especially fantastic because he missed 3 games with injury, including the last 2 games, and still, no one could catch him up. He burdened the load of all the best defenders in the league, and won nearly every single time, kicking 1 goal on only 2 occasions this year. 

BEST PERFORMANCE

While you could, realistically, pick about 4 games where Harry took it by the scruff of the neck and won the game for the Blues. A key forwards job is to kick goals, so their best game of the season is the one where they kicked the most goals. Harry kicked a career-high 7 against the Dockers in round 3 and planted his name at the upper echelons of the Coleman medal race, in which it didn't move for the whole year. 

He kicked a bag of 7 - which really could’ve been more considering he kicked 5 behinds and another with no score - he took 10 marks, 9 of which were inside 50. This was his career-high by far, as his most by that point was 4. He found a home in the far-right side pocket at Marvel as he kicked snap after snap, not only in that game, but for the rest of the season. They put defender after defender on him, but no one worked. He was too quick, too tall, too dynamic, and for the first time, and potentially only time this year, the deliver inside 50 was perfect. This was the definition of a breakout game, The Carlton faithful finally had a player they could hang their hat on and guarantees them a couple of goals a game, even when he isn’t playing well. 

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

There really isn’t alot to look for in Harry for the offseason. As long as he stays fit and there are no injury setbacks, we should expect the same, if not more next season. The one thing about next season that will be different, is the inclusion of Charlie Curnow. They have played very few times together, and they are the 2 most explosive and dynamic young forwards in the league. With those two playing together, this will cause all sorts of problems for defences over the season. Whether this sees Harry playing up the ground, where his marking ability can be effective, or Charlie playing up the ground where his field kicking skills can be used to their fullest. We are bound to get two forwards next season kicking bags after bags, and Harry could very easily brush this year off as a warm-up, as he prepares for his first Coleman Medal defence. 

2021 REPORT CARD RATING

A+

STATUS HEADING INTO 2022 

Star Player