WHEN Harry McKay posted on his personal Instagram account on Monday night after news of his long-term Carlton contract extension was confirmed, he accompanied it with merely two words in the caption.

“For life.”

And while he was a touch more expansive when sitting down with Carlton Media to discuss his motives behind the decision, the sentiment very much remained the same.

There was a healthy dose of synergy when it was announced that McKay had signed for an extra seven years, given 2022 marked the completion of his seventh campaign at IKON Park.

McKay has always been grateful for the Blues giving him his first opportunity when he walked through the doors as part of the 2015 draft class, and as the length of the extension suggested, he was never going to go anywhere else.

“It was always Carlton,” McKay said.

“Absolutely, it has always been Carlton. I’ve loved my time here and was never going to go anywhere else.”

He admitted that his seven years in the Navy Blue haven’t been without their fair share of tough times. Arriving at the Blues following a coaching change, McKay experienced a further two in his first six years at the Club.

However, he believes the appointment of those who are now in senior roles at the football club will provide a stability which is conducive to sustained success and excellence.

And he believes the progress made over the last year has the Blues in the best spot they’ve been in since he joined.

“In the previous seven years, there have been a lot of ups and downs and a lot of instability across the Club, the list and in key roles,” he said.

“You can’t be promised anything in the game, but some of the stuff we’ve done over the last 12 months will hopefully set us up for a successful eight or nine years.

“With the environment that has been created, the stability in key roles and the list that has been put together, it’s a no brainer.”

Then, there’s Charlie.

Given the connection of the two forwards and the fact they’ve both committed their long-time futures to he Navy Blue, McKay knows the questions are going to continue to come about him and Curnow. And he loves it.

“We’re always going to be asked about each other, which I think is fantastic,” he said.

“To be playing together for a really long time is exciting. I love working with him: he’s so full of energy and he brings so much to the team and the forward line.”

There’s nothing like a healthy dose of one-upmanship, however: Curnow re-signed until 2029, McKay until 2030.

“He got the Coleman, so I thought I may as well sign for the extra year!”

Joining the twin towers in penning lengthy extensions with the Blues were the likes of Sam Walsh earlier this year (2026) and Patrick Cripps last year (2027). McKay and Curnow’s fellow 2015 draftee Jacob Weitering also committed until at least the end of 2025 over two years ago.

With the core of the Carlton playing group committing to one another and the Club, McKay said it was symbolic of a two-way relationship that has a playing group connected more than ever.

And having gone through those self-admitted hard times, the chance to share in collective success is one nobody wants to pass up.

“It shows awesome commitment from both sides, in terms of the Club and the players,” he said.

“I’m really proud of those guys for sticking together. Over the last seven years, it might’ve been easy to look elsewhere.

“We’ve been through those tougher times together… it’s an exciting place going forward.”