NO NEED for panic stations.

That’s the message from senior assistant coach Ashley Hansen on Harry McKay.

It was announced last night that McKay would miss Thursday’s practice match against St Kilda due to foot soreness. While he’s a chance to feature against Melbourne, the Blues will take a cautious approach in ensuring the Coleman Medallist is fit for Round 1.

Hansen explained that McKay’s training will adopt an individualised approach and the expectation is he will be available for selection against Richmond.

“We’re confident at this stage that he’ll be right,” Hansen said.

“At this time of the year, you take a tentative approach — it’s a very individualised program because the eye is in on Round 1.”

Having largely undertaken a full pre-season to this point, Hansen said it will hold McKay in good stead when the home-and-away season rolls around. 

RESPECT THE JUMPER Hamill on 2022 approach

Despite not being around for the pre-season this time 12 months ago, Hansen referenced to last year, when McKay was withdrawn early from the practice matches but went onto produce an award-ladened season.

“Historically, last year, he only played a quarter or two throughout the pre-season — clearly I wasn’t here, but he played really well in Round 1,” he said. 

“At this time of the year, we’re not going to take any risks.” 

Affirming McKay’s importance to the team’s forward line and structure as a whole, Hansen said Carlton fans will see McKay back in action in no time.

“He’s such an important player and we know what he does to our structure and system,” he said.

“We’re confident that with the work he has done, the way we’ve prepared as a group with our training, that he’ll be right to play games straight away.”