Michael Voss praises Harry McKay’s ‘courage’ ahead of Gather Round return
Carlton coach Michael Voss says the courage shown by key forward Harry McKay in confronting his personal issues served as an important lesson, as the Blues prepare for a must-win clash.
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Carlton coach Michael Voss says the courage shown by key forward Harry McKay in confronting his personal issues served as another important lesson for the football industry and the general community.
Voss said McKay was “in a good place” and ready to perform in the Blues’ must-win clash with West Coast on Saturday after stepping back from playing AFL football following the Round 1 loss to Richmond.
The Blues coach admitted there was a sense of urgency surrounding the club’s clash with the Eagles, given the 0-4 ledger.
“The bigger picture says there is urgency in it, no doubt,” Voss said. “The temptation is to probably go into that space but our performance is about what’s in front of us.
“If you go any further than that you genuinely find yourself in a bit of trouble.”
McKay received a rousing reception from the more than 2000 Blues fans at the club’s captain’s run at Glenelg Oval on Friday.
“We can sometimes loosely use the word courage, but it does take some courage (to seek help) and I think he (McKay) articulated (in a podcast on Thursday) … how tough that is to be able to live behind a facade,” Voss said.
“He is in a place where he has been able to work through a few things and get himself into a space where he has been able to get back out playing football, and we can’t wait to see him out there.”
Voss said the Blues have taken great heart out of having McKay being ready to play again.
“I am really proud of Harry, I am proud of the club for how they have stood strong behind him, and given him the space he has needed to work through a few things,” he said.
“He is an important member of our team, but more importantly for us, to see him in the space he is in now.
“That’s all we have ever wanted, the fact he gets to come out and play football and do the thing he loves is a little reward for us.”
He said the community was starting to get a better understanding of mental health issues, but admitted there was still some work to go.
“I think there are some disappointing things that get said off the back of it, which lack any understanding whatsoever,” he said.
“But the more we can get to understand it and educate a little bit, the better we will be because people will come forward more if they feel like they are struggling a bit, and speak openly about knowing they will get the support they need.”
McKay will tag-team in attack with Charlie Curnow for the first time since round 23 last year, with Voss confident they can lead the charge.
The coach hoped the trip away to Adelaide would galvanise the group after a horrible start to the season.
Part of the challenge was to overcome the second half blues that have cost the Blues in every game so far this season.
He defended the club’s selection integrity, saying: “There is always selection pressure on individuals … we have some guys in great form but (we) also acknowledge clearly we don’t have the 22 on the same amount of form.”
STAR BLUE OPENS UP ON TIPPING POINT OF ‘REALLY SCARY’ BATTLE
– Ed Bourke
Carlton star Harry McKay says he is “really grateful to be in a better place” as he confirmed he would end his AFL hiatus against West Coast in Gather Round.
McKay opened up to his twin brother, Ben, on their Ben and Harry Podcast as he described the “scary” battle with a mental health issue which led to him stepping away from football.
The 27-year-old said his mental health abruptly went downhill in late February after he had been one of the Blues’ top performers over the pre-season.
He struggled for impact in the round 1 loss to Richmond before he withdraw from the subsequent clash against Hawthorn for personal reasons – the start of a three-week absence from the AFL.
“I think the most challenging part of that was me thinking I shouldn’t be feeling the way I was,” he said.
“Everything in my life, to be honest, was in a really great place – the football club, I love my teammates so much and was in a great place in terms of footy.
“The most beautiful, loving partner and family being so supportive. Everything in my world was in such a great place, and that’s why it was really scary that it didn’t make a lot of sense.
McKay said it became “scary” when he tried to push through without seeking help, before eventually asking for assistance when he felt it had reached a “tipping point”.
“I guess you could say it was really irrational to feel like that, and as that progressed and unfortunately feeling in a worse and worse spot, I had to put on a bit of a facade to pretend to be okay when I really wasn’t,” he said.
“That was really hard, as a male who would hang their hat on always turning up, being stoic, pushing through. But it got to a place where I had to put a hand up and say I needed some help.”
The Carlton forward was adamant his love for the game, and the Blues, had not diminished during his time on the sidelines.
“The start of the footy season is such an exciting, fun time … the things that bring you so much joy usually, that contributed to feeling really confused and spiralling around that,” he said.
“Something I’ve learnt through this process is the domains of life you love the most – playing footy, competing with your teammates, inspiring young kids, running out in front of our fans – are the hardest things to do when you’re in a dark place.”
McKay said he was unsure how the people around him would react when he told them he would step back to seek help, but found “everyone had been so beautiful and caring”.
He said he felt better equipped to handle the situation if a similar issue reared its head again.
“I feel really lucky to feel like myself again. Anyone that has been through something similar can understand there’s a physical toll that comes with going through something like this, and in the last week or two it’s been about hitting those markers and working on a plan to get back to a great level,” he said.
“That’s why it was so awesome to get some minutes in and hit some of those markers in the VFL on the weekend.
“To be able to tick off some of those things will hold me in good stead for Gather Round this week – and I’m really excited to run out in front of Carlton fans again, who have been so beautiful, and with my teammates competing together.”
Originally published as Michael Voss praises Harry McKay’s ‘courage’ ahead of Gather Round return
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