Club/Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons 
Position: Midfield
Height: 167cm
DOB: 27 April 2006

THE McKay legacy continues.

The Carlton Football Club is excited to welcome father-daughter recruit Sophie McKay, after being selected at pick No.17 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Women’s Draft.

An eye-catching midfielder who bursts out of congestion regularly, McKay combines her hard running offensive attributes with the defensive element of her game, often producing team-lifting moments.

A member of the 2024 Marsh AFL National Academy as well as the Carlton Academy since her junior years, McKay is no stranger to IKON Park, with her dad Andrew playing 244 games between 1993 and 2003, and her sister Abbie - the Blues' current co-vice captain - playing her 50th game this season. 

Named in the AFLW Under 18s All-Australian team and a reliable player in the National Championships this year, representing Vic Metro, McKay averaged 23 disposals and four clearances helping her side win the championships in 2024. 

Also named as best-on-ground in Melbourne Girls Grammar's 2023 premiership win, McKay is familiar with big performances and will be one to watch on the big stage of AFLW. 

She starred in the under-17 Futures game last year, winning the medal for best on ground, and played for the Academy against the All Stars earlier in 2024. McKay also featured in 10 games for the Sandringham Dragons, averaging 22.5 disposals across 10 games, earning her the runner-up spot  in the Best and Fairest.

An effective ball user, McKay can move the ball with her clean hands or feet, utilising her explosive speed she has the skill to weave through traffic, providing her team with a consistent link between lines. 

Now, pulling on a Navy Blue guernsey at the home of women’s football - and a place of such significance to the McKay family - is a dream that has finally come true after draft night.

Mckay joins her National Academy teammate Poppy Scholz who was selected with Pick No.6 earlier in the night. 

Head of AFLW Ash Naulty said it was exciting to add to the family legacy which shines so brightly already at IKON Park.

“The Club is thrilled to select Sophie, who has such a unique connection to both the AFL and AFLW program,” Naulty said.

“She is an elite runner and ball user, always looking to involve teammates in the game and has shown great game awareness. If she has no one open in space she also  has the skill, accuracy and composure to be able to hit the scoreboard.

“We haven't even seen the beginning of her game. Despite some setbacks this year, Sophie has navigated a frustrating end to the year with such professionalism and poise at just 18 years old, which hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“Her dad Andrew is a former captain, premiership player and Hall of Famer at our Club, while Abbie has emerged as a key leader for us and couldn’t be happier to welcome her sister for the years to come.

“It’s a really special moment to welcome Sophie to the Club, and we can't wait to see her create her own football legacy here at Carlton.”