INTO game mode.

Now that the 2023 pre-season training camp has officially wrapped up, the Blues will now set their sights onto their upcoming practice matches.

With their Sunshine Coast training camp ending with a big session under intensive heat, Harry McKay said that the group is looking primed for the next segment of their training.

“It was the last day of our training camp – I think we all knew it was going to be a really solid session and it definitely was that,” McKay said.

“The belief and confidence that the group will take out of a session like that is really strong.”

Coupling the hot and humid weather with bike rides and hill runs, the group will have the shared experiences of a rewarding camp to carry through the season as a collective.

“You go away after a week like this and you feel closer to everybody,” he said.

“The chance to get away as a group and spend some quality time together, build connections and create a few themes that we want to carry into the 2023 season has been fantastic.

“We’re all on the same page on what 2023 is going to look like and it’s always a really fantastic way to wrap up the pre-season and get into game mode.”

A key pillar of the forward line, McKay has been particularly impressed with his fellow forwards this summer, acknowledging everyone’s ability to play their roles and be a great teammate.

Singling out a few impressive teammates, McKay also noted that he’d never seen numbers on the track like this in his prior pre-seasons.

“Matt Owies has been really strong this week: we talk about playing your role and bringing intensity and pressure, he’s been outstanding,” he said.  

“Charlie [Curnow] and Jack [Silvagni] have been really good as well over the week, in terms of competing really hard and using the ball really well.

“The numbers on the track and guys in career-best physical form is really strong – that’s probably the biggest difference.”

McKay has also taken draftee Harry Lemmey under his wing, helping the key forward develop his craft in the front half.

Noting he may have stolen his nickname, McKay has been blown away with the professionalism and keen learning that Lemmey has displayed in his short time with the Blues.

“He can be ‘Big H’ now,” McKay joked.

“‘Lemm’ has been awesome – he’s a fantastic kid. All the draftees are wonderful people, and they’ve had a really good impact at the Club so far.

“[Being] a young key forward can be challenging but some of the work he’s done so far and the growth he’s shown over a couple of weeks already has been fantastic.

“He’s always asking questions, he’s looking to be better and before you know it, I might not have a job because ‘Lemm’ might take my spot!”