WHEN it comes to getting confidence back and generating momentum, Harry McKay was asked what the perfect answer is.
The response? “I’d love to know.”
But there’s no doubt that McKay will be doing what he’s done for 99 games, and that’s work, work some more and then work again on finding the best possible solution.
The 2021 Coleman Medallist has been open in the past weeks with his dip in confidence in front of goal this season, but McKay is hardly alone. The Blues’ record of 33.65 in front of goal over the past five weeks has cost them the chance to put themselves in winning positions.
Speaking to media the week he becomes Carlton’s latest centurion, McKay was adamant that form would turn for the individual and collective — and believes it just takes one turning point to get the ball rolling.
“As a professional athlete and in sporting clubs, you’re only one kick, one moment or one quarter away from bringing that spark back. The belief in the group is really strong,” McKay said.
“I understand the external expectation that a lot of people have on our group and our footy club, which is fair. In terms of confidence and belief, I don’t think we’re too far away.
“In footy and in life, it’s through the hardest times or your despair that you become connected as a group. That’s definitely the belief of the group, that although it sucks at the moment, we’re going to be better for it and hopefully we can look back at this time down the track as a real kickstart to hopefully bigger and better things.”
Earlier in the day on Tuesday, Sam Walsh took to SEN, where he made mention of the playing group’s trip to Ed Curnow’s residence for an open, honest discussion on where things stand and what the team wants to be known for.
STRENGTH THROUGH ADVERSITY Walsh: "We don't want to be in this position"
Contrary to reports in previous weeks, McKay shed further light on the playing mix at IKON Park, providing a firm statement ahead of his milestone game.
“In my eight years, this is the closest and most united the group has been. When on-field success isn’t coming, it’s really important to stay united and connected,” he said.
“Stability is crucial. Over the last 24 months, the stability in the footy club has been really strong and key people in key roles are doing really good work.
“‘Vossy’ has been amazing. Even through the last 6-8 weeks, we haven’t been going perfectly but his ability to lead through it all . . . it’s been first class.
“I’ve absolutely loved my time under him and I can’t wait to work with him for a long time.”
The stability and connection extends beyond the playing group, with McKay asked about the scenes in the crowd after the full-time siren.
McKay said that while he understands the frustration from over the fence, the importance of creating a safe environment for the families and children that head to games couldn’t be lost.
“It’s a minority of supporters. A lot of our fans have been fantastic through this whole year, with the passion and the energy they bring to games: 85,000 on a Sunday night was amazing,” he said.
“The majority of our supporters have been fantastic. For kids and families, you want to create an environment that’s safe and one where everyone likes to come to the footy. We want to create games at Carlton that everyone feels comfortable and safe coming to.
“There’s always going to be some things said over the fence . . . we’re big enough and ugly enough to deal with [that]. But we want to create a really inclusive, safe environment at our games.”
