IT’S THE first official day of pre-season for the senior players, but it doesn't feel that way for Harry McKay.
With senior teammates having trained alongside the first-to-fourth-year players for two weeks, the effect of the new IKON Park redevelopment has been clearly felt by the playing group.
Amongst the brand new facilities for a full pre-season was a drawcard for many players, who reunited with teammates after a 12-week off-season since the conclusion of the home-and-away season in August.
“We haven’t had the full facilities for two years now: for it to be all finished and to have an indoor facility like this is pretty amazing, the boys have definitely been using it early on,” McKay said.
“The first-to-fourth years started training two weeks ago, but virtually everyone on our list was back on day one and have been here for the last two weeks.
“To get back in and train and see my mates is pretty fun, we’re all happy to be back.”
Agreeing to a new deal at the end of last season, McKay has made the commitment to stay at Carlton for a long time - eight years to be exact - declaring there is nowhere else he’d rather play his footy.
This time last year, the Club had undergone many changes on and off the field, but McKay admitted that only made his choice that much easier when deciding on his future.
“It was a very easy decision – Carlton was the only team I wanted to play for and those discussions happened really quickly so the negotiations didn’t take long at all,” he said.
“I’m really comfortable with how we’re going at the moment and to be able to re-sign long term, I’m extremely proud to be able to play for Carlton for the next eight years and I’m really grateful to the Club for giving me the opportunity as well.”
One of the points that McKay referenced was how much the Club has bonded over the last two years - through the good times and the bad - creating a culture that leaves the players itching to get to work.
With the introduction of Michael Voss and a completely new coaching panel 12 months ago, the entire football department now has a year's worth of experience to add to their system and game plan throughout the pre-season.
“I’ve been here seven years now and there have definitely been some ups and downs but over the last 12 to 24 months. Even though results wise we haven't got to where we want to, there’s been a lot of positive change at the Club,” he said.
“We talk about culture and the environment, coming to work every day, it’s just a really good place to be – I think that shows why guys are committing long term.
“After 12 months of new coaches and a new system, you expect that [change]. But I’ve been really impressed with the standard of training so far over the last two weeks and the way the guys have turned up in good nick shows we’re on the right path for sure.”
The drive for the group is certainly high after their abrupt end to the 2022 season.
Now that they’re officially back into the structured training program, McKay has been blown away with the dedication and determination of his teammates, hoping that it can continue all the way through 2023 and beyond.
“I think we took some good strides last year but the way it finished definitely brings some motivation for this season and this pre-season,” he said.
“Carlton is a really strong place at the moment: everyone is enjoying their time together and looking forward to some success over the next few years.”
