Carlton v Brisbane: Why Blues cannot waste time signing key forward Harry McKay
Carlton made a big financial commitment to secure Zac Williams and Adam Saad and while it is still early days, there is some clear room for improvement.
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Carlton fans are sweating on Patrick Cripps’ signature … but there may be a contract every bit as important to the club’s long-term future that needs to be signed as soon as possible.
The Blues expect Cripps to recommit in the coming weeks, with head of football Brad Lloyd telling ABC radio on Saturday the talks were progressing well.
But they also must start preparing to lock away one of the game’s most exciting young forwards, given what has happened so far in 2021.
Harry McKay’s outstanding start to the season has seen him take his season tally to 22 goals, with a further six against the Lions.
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His form highlights his importance to the side, and also why other clubs would be crazy not to have a crack at trying to snare the 23-year-old.
The Bombers made a play for McKay last year, as Jay Clark recently reported, so why wouldn’t they or other clubs load up for another shot.
Carlton chief executive Cain Liddle said recently talks had started on a new deal for McKay.
The Blues are confident McKay’s strong loyalty will see him stick with the club long-term.
He could command around $700,000 per season, with potentially even bigger offers from rival clubs including Essendon, who saw him as a Joe Daniher replacement last year.
Despite the fact his team has only won two games, McKay is right in the Coleman Medal frame.
No Blue has won it since Brendan Fevola in 2009.
McKay’s power-marking, athleticism and his goalkicking (even allowing for his around the body shots) are perfectly suited to the way footy is being played this season.
Here’s a good point of comparison.
He has kicked 93 goals from his 54 games to date.
In Tom Lynch’s first 54 games - albeit in a battling Gold Coast side - he kicked 68 goals.
No Carlton player has kicked 50 or more goals in a season since Andrew Walker (56) in 2011.
Importantly, McKay is developing a hard edge physically and it was on show again with a bone-crunching collision with Mitch Robinson.
David Teague remarked: “He competed hard … it is something he has worked on and I thought he gave a really strong contest.”
MORE REQUIRED FROM THE BIG RECRUITS
Carlton made a big financial commitment to secure Zac Williams and Adam Saad and while it is still very early days in their time in Navy Blue, there is some clear room for improvement.
Williams has been solid, but he needs to clean up some of his field kicking.
There was one frustrating moment on Saturday night when Wiliams butchered the ball when coming back through the corridor at half-time that led to a Brisbane Lions counterattack.
The idea was right, but like what happens with the Blues a lot, the execution wasn’t.
It has been a mixed bag for Saad so far. He has been good in patches, but less so in others.
Perhaps Teague needs to consider freeing him up a little in terms of his opponents, and allow him the licence to use his speed and his creativity to launch counter-attack.
HAS CRIPPA LOST CONFIDENCE IN HIS KICKING?
So much has been written and said about Cripps’ form to start 2021, even though we tend to mark him harder than others.
He carried an injury into the early rounds of the season, which reduced his output at times.
But one glaring stat from Saturday night had people wondering if he had lost some faith in his kicking.
Cripps had 25 disposals — nine of them in the first quarter, when he helped to kickstart the Blues. But the breakdown of those overall possessions were 21 handballs and only FOUR kicks.
Teague said he didn’t think Cripps had lost confidence in his kicking ...
“I think he was trying to be really creative with his hands … for Patrick, I don’t think he has lost confidence,” Teague said.
“I think you will find that he often wins it inside in traffic in a contested situation. I actually thought our handballing as a team was probably a little bit better than it had been, particularly early in the game when we got speed into it.
“They were creative handballs … it was more about moving the ball versus just inside handballs that put someone else under pressure.”
Whatever the case, Cripps does need to start nailing his set shots, which has been an issue for some time.
EDDIE’S RADAR OFF
Eddie Betts’ radar was off kilter against the Lions as he kicked 0.4 — his most inaccurate return without kicking a goal since he kicked the same figure way back in 2010.
The Blues veteran would have been kicking himself about the misses he would normally nail without even thinking about it.
Betts has kicked 2.8 from his four matches this season.
Teague took the glass half full approach in acknowledging that at least Betts was getting his hands on the ball, even if he wasn’t finishing as well as he normally would.
“He got the opportunities … he got some shots on goal, but as a collective it (goal accuracy) is definitely one of our strong focus areas - our ability to connect and use the ball and then our finish once we get it in there.”
“Then on the flip side our ability to defend the entries at the other end. They are areas we need to get better at. If we want to compete against these good teams, we have to get better at those and until we do that, we are going to find it hard.
“The frustrating thing for our fans … (is) we are in these games and we are showing glimpses of it but you need to do it for 120 minutes.
“The guys are working really hard at it.”
HUGH BEAUTY
Hugh McCluggage was stiff to miss out on All-Australian selection last year - after a second straight year in the 40-man squad.
But he might be on the way to booking his first AA blazer, with another best afield performance against the Blues.
He had 33 disposals, took almost 600 metres gained and had more scoring involvements (10) than any other player on the ground.
After a relatively slow first fortnight, the 23-year-old has had a very good month, with back to back big performances against Essendon and Carlton.
BATTERED AND BRUISED LIONS
The Brisbane Lions’ fitness and medical staff deserved an extra beer after what was a chaotic late afternoon at Marvel Stadium in patching up a host of players.
Chris Fagan couldn’t have been more proud of his players, who overcame some physical issues to bring about a strong 18-point win.
“There was a lot happening and it started early in the game with Darcy (Gardiner) and Lachie (Neale) and it continued,” Fagan said.
“There were blokes off with blood regularly, Mitchy Robinson had to have stitches.
“It was a really brave effort by our boys. There is no doubt Carlton came to play … they had been put under the heat all week. For what reason, I am not sure of, because I think they are going well in terms of their development.
“It is not their fault the club has struggled for the last 20 years … they are a pretty good footy side and they had a real crack today and we had to play right to the end to win it.
“I was really proud of our players and the way they went about it, and the way they stood up under pressure.”
Fagan said he wasn’t sure if Neale’s ankle was an issue going forward, but said the Brownlow medallist was “a pretty tough character.”
“He will probably be sore (on Sunday) and we will see how he is during the week.”
If you get the chance, take a look at the stitching on both ends of Robinson’s right eye on his Instagram page. “Halloween came early”, he joked.
STOCK TAKE
He was responsible for one of the most bizarre moments of the game, but Teague believes Liam Stocker will learn from his work in defence on the weekend.
Stocker actually kicked a “goal” at the wrong end of the ground during the game, when he was trying to get a ball to a teammate in defence.
At least he could have a grin about his little mistake.
Teague said he thought the 21-year-old had been reliable in what was only his sixth game of AFL football and his first of 2021.
“He looked pretty strong and solid and reliable down there,” Teague said.
“He competed and that’s why we brought him in.
“He is big and strong, and he played in the VFL last week and he won a heap of the ball as a half back flanker but it probably wasn’t the way to play AFL football.
“I thought from one week to the week to adjust to playing AFL football, I think it will be great learning, whether he finishes up going forward into the midfield throughout his career I think there are some great learnings from playing half back and understanding both sides of the ball.
“From a quick overview, I thought he was pretty solid.”
Fagan calls for quarters to be shortened
Nick D’Urbano
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has called for the length of quarters to be shortened fearing rising injury tolls after a bruising win over Carlton that went for 136 minutes.
The Lions’ 18-point victory at Marvel Stadium has put the Blues’ season on the brink with key matches to come against Essendon, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne after the home side blew a number of opportunities to wrest the game away from Fagan’s team.
Both the second and third term clocked over 36 and 37 minutes respectively as the sides piled on 17 goals between them while blood rules and score reviews also dragged the quarters out.
Quarters have reverted back to twenty-minutes plus time-on this season after being shortened to 16 minutes plus time-on due to the 2020 COVID-affected season.
However, Fagan believes the time-length is having an impact, with players struggling to cope with the return to the traditional length as sides grapple with increasing injury-lists.
“I think we have to have a look at it — it is way too long,” Fagan said to the media post-game.
“It wears the players out; I don’t know the stats but the injury lists at clubs at the moment are big and long and we are only into round six,
“I’m sure the AFL are aware of it but I think the game needs to be shorter than 136 minutes,
“I know it felt shorter last year because we took it back to 16 minutes plus time on, I reckon the right answer is somewhere in between, maybe 18 and time on.”
Teague said he preferred the longer version of the game, saying fatigue can make for more exciting football.
“The 16-minute quarters, I didn’t like it,” Teague said. “I thought it was very quick.”
“I like the game being long and testing you out. I think the defences open up through fatigue as well and I think that is great for the fans to see.”
Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale could face MRO scrutiny – and a possible fine – for touching umpire Mathew Nicholls during a stoppage.
Neale said post-game he was only trying to get the umpire’s attention to alert him to the fact he had blood streaming down his cut face.
Teague lamented his team’s inability to take full advantage of a strong start, where the Blues “owned the first quarter”, but were only eight points up at the first break.
Then the Lions kicked 7.6 from 24 entries in the second term to take control back.
“We have a great challenge in Essendon next week, that’s what we need to prepare for,” Teague said. “We need to play better for longer.”
“Every week is important to us. In terms of the group and in terms of getting better, we have learnt we still have some work to do.”
Match report: Carlton’s costly lapse as McKay bags six
Brisbane have seen off a plucky Carlton outfit to come away with an 18-point win at Marvel Stadium.
In a physical affair, the Lions were able to wrestle control after a slow-start, booting 7.6 to 2.2 in the second-term and keeping the Blues at an arm’s length for the remainder of the game.
Hugh McCluggage (33 disposals) was superb in the middle as Charlie Cameron and Eric Hipwood made the most of his delivery booting three each.
The Lions will lick their wounds as they lost Darcy Gardiner (concussion) while Lachie Neale (head, ankle), Dan McStay (head) and Mitch Robinson (eye) battled on with respective niggles.
Carlton’s brand of attacking football broke open the Lions defence but ultimately turnovers plagued them in key moments – an all-familiar hallmark of their 2021 season to date.
Harry McKay won the battle against Harris Andrews kicking 6.2 while Sam Walsh (33 disposals, nine marks) and Ed Curnow (29 disposals) were among the Blues best in the middle.
Carlton willingly took the game on early and put the Lions defence under-pressure – tallying 18 inside 50s to the Lions’ nine but were wasteful in-front of goal (3.5 to 2.3).
However, Carlton’s first quarter groove quickly died off as two completely different outfits emerged from the quarter-time huddle.
The Lions flipped the switch completely, as the Blues’ fluidity off halfback became stagnant and turnovers began to accumulate – all while Brisbane assumed control of the inside 50s (24-9 in second quarter).
The Blues roared back into the game after halftime, finding their first-quarter dare and McKay was the ultimate benefactor kicking three to cut the margin to seven.
Despite David Teague’s side starting to create inroads back into the game, turnovers settled in and the Lions made them pay – kicking the final three of the third quarter.
A Joe Daniher bomb sealed the result as Brisbane were able to maintain control in the final term and come away with their third win of the season.
SUPERSTAR FACING SANCTION FOR BIZARRE UMPIRE INCIDENT
Reigning Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale could face a sanction for touching umpire Mathew Nicholls during a chaotic clash at Marvel Stadium against Carlton.
Neale was in the wars almost from start to finish, leaving the field in the opening term with an ankle injury to head into the rooms for strapping.
He re-emerged in the game before copping an accidental knock to the eye from Eddie Betts during the second term.
He instantly emerged from the pack with blood flowing down his face and frustration on his mind. In his urgency to point out to Nicholls that he should have received a free kick, he made light contact.
The incident is likely to be looked at by match review officer Michael Christian with a possible fine an option.
Nicholls sent Neale from the ground under the blood rule, but he came back soon after with heavy strapping around his face.
It wasn’t the only injury issue for the Lions with Darcy Gardiner ruled out of the match in the first term with concussion.
Eric Hipwood was troubled with a hip issue early but returned in fine form, while Mitch Robinson also had time off the field with a blood rule after a heavy collision with Carlton forward Harry McKay.
COLLATERAL DAMAGE
The Brisbane medicos were busy as the casualties mounted for the Lions.
Darcy Gardiner’s day was over before it could barely get started, being subbed out with concussion in the opening quarter while Lachie Neale battled on with a niggling ankle injury for the majority of the game.
Former Blue Mitch Robinson was cut open by a heavy Harry McKay bump while Dan McStay and Harris Andrews were rattled by head-knocks in the second-half – and thankfully were able to see out the game.
MCKAY WINS BATTLE
It was the all-important battle of the bookends.
Fresh off a disappointing outing against Port Adelaide, Harry McKay was busy early, taking it right to Andrews who had his hands-full with the Blues spearhead – who made the most of the Blues quick ball movement and in turn a massive headache for Harris Andrews.
McKay ended up with six for the game and won the match-up against the two-time All-Australian defender – taking him to a tie-on top of the Coleman Medal with 22 goals.
SCOREBOARD
BLUES 3.5, 5.7, 9.11, 12.13 (85)
LIONS 2.3, 9.9, 13.12, 15.13 (103)
D’URBANO’S BEST
BLUES: McKay, Walsh, Curnow, Weitering, Cripps
LIONS: McCluggage, Rich, Hipwood, Robertson, Zorko, Lyons, Neale
GOALS
BLUES: McKay 6, Murphy 2, McGovern 2, Walsh, Curnow
LIONS: Hipwood 3, Cameron 3, Robertson 2, McStay, McInerney, Zorko, Ah Chee, Lyons, McCarthy, Daniher
INJURIES
BLUES: nil
LIONS: Gardiner (concussion), Neale (ankle/head), Robinson (eye), McStay (head), Andrews (head)
VENUE: 29,576 @ Marvel Stadium
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
D’URBANO’S VOTES
3: Hugh McCluggage (Bris)
2: Harry McKay (Carl)
1: Sam Walsh (Carl)
WATCH: BLUE’S HILARIOUS ‘GOAL’ AT WRONG END
-Dan Batten
It was the moment that even had the culprit laughing.
Carlton inclusion Liam Stocker absolutely nailed a shot at goal from the boundary in the second term.
The problem was that it was at the wrong end.
Straight through the big sticks 😬#AFLBluesLionspic.twitter.com/OspMoHhnqg
— AFL (@AFL) April 24, 2021
A miscued kick backwards in defence from 30m saw the ball sail through the big sticks at Brisbane’s end, with Stocker sharing a laugh with Lion Lincoln McCarthy after his hilarious error.
Adding to the amusement was the fact that it was Stocker’s first AFL goal from his six games — although it won’t count on the stats sheet.
The bizarre ‘goal’ gave former Port Adelaide and Richmond midfielder David Rodan’s effort back in 2008 some competition.
Fortunately, the umpire had the common sense not to rule it as a deliberate behind — despite the cries of one ambitious Lions fan shown on the broadcast.
More Coverage
Liam Stocker just nailed a goal from a tight angle ... the only problem was that it was through the Brisbane Lions' goal, not Carlton's. He was aiming for a Blues teammate in the other pocket. Not sure I've ever seen that before.
— Glenn McFarlane (@MaccaHeraldSun) April 24, 2021
Originally published as Carlton v Brisbane: Why Blues cannot waste time signing key forward Harry McKay
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