THE curtain has been drawn on an unprecedented 2020 season for the Navy Blues.

Trading Ikon Park for 10 different hotel hubs across Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, it’s been a year we won’t soon forget.

With the final siren having rung on the final game, it’s time to look at those who featured in five or more games for Carlton or made their AFL debuts in 2020.

Here’s the year that was for Carlton’s number 10. 

GAMES:

2020: 13
Career: 48

GOALS:
2020: 21
Career: 71

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets):

Disposals: 97 (7.5) Marks: 57 (4.4) Contested marks: 22 (1.7) Marks inside 50: 32 (2.5) Score involvements: 42 (3.6) 

OVERVIEW:

When the 2020 season was delayed after Round 1, there were arguably no Blues more excited than Harry McKay. A persistent groin injury had meant young forward was faced with the prospect of missing a large portion of the season. 

However, the additional time gave McKay the opportunity to get his body right and join his teammates on the field. 

Despite missing his partner in the forward line in Charlie Curnow, McKay took a big step forward in his own development as one of the best young forwards in the competition. 

Fans would have been pleased with the output from the developing forward, who proved to be one the Blues’ best targets going forward. 

Working well with the Blues’ small-forwards in Eddie Betts and Michael Gibbons, McKay’s safe hands were a real highlight of 2020 as he proved to be a handful for the opposition defenders. 

BEST PERFORMANCE:

While the Blues were unable to come away with the win, McKay’s efforts gave his team a fighting chance against the Crows in Round 17.

The 22 year old’s four-goal performance gave the Blues a strong opportunity after the Crows ran away with a big first-half lead. 

McKay’s four-goal haul equaled his best performance on the field, while his marking once again was a highlight finishing the day with a total of six marks - five of which were contested.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT:

It will be the game forever remembered for Jack Newnes’ match-winning goal after the siren, but there were a number of moments preceding this which were equally as important. 

The wet conditions didn’t make it easy for McKay on that fateful night in Round 12. However, his presence in the forward line had been increasingly worrying the opposition as the time ticked away on the clock. 

A strong lead from McKay deep into the pocket caused panic among the Fremantle defenders, as they scurried back and gave away a free kick. 

The young forward did not shy away from the occasion, kicking a beautiful bending goal to put the Blues within just five points. 

McKay’s all-important first goal shifted the momentum in favour of the determined Blues and, as they say, the rest is history. 

THEY SAID IT:

Facing constant criticism for his accuracy in front of goal, McKay is well aware of where he will need to improve his game reflecting honestly on his 2020 season. 

“I wasn’t making the most of my opportunities. I had a lot of looks on goal that I didn’t capitalise on, which was frustrating,” he said

“I’ll have a big focus on my goal kicking and making the most of the opportunities I get. I’ll really put a lot of work in that, as well as the forward craft stuff in terms of leading patterns and body work.