Harry McKay set for talks with Carlton on new deal after rejecting big offer from Essendon last year

One of Carlton’s biggest rivals came hard at Harry McKay last trade period. But he stayed loyal. The Blues now want to lock him into a new deal.

Blues ballwinner Paddy Dow in action against Fremantle. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Carlton is set to open contract talks on a lucrative new deal for breakout spearhead Harry McKay.

The Blues want to lock away the man who booted a career-best seven goal haul against Fremantle on Sunday, enhancing his reputation as one of the most exciting key forwards in the game.

The sparkling performance earned McKay nine AFL Coaches Association votes and lifted the big man to third on the AFL Coleman Medal leaderboard with 13 goals and eight behinds in three games.

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Highly-respected Geelong premiership full-forward Tom Hawkins said on Monday McKay “was one of the guys who could become the best key forward in the game in a few years’ time”.

“I think he is a super player. I really rate him and I really like watching him,” Hawkins said.

Harry McKay celebrates one of his seven goals at the weekend. Picture: Michael Klein

Industry figures told the Herald Sun on Wednesday McKay was worth more than $700,000 a year to Carlton on current form as part of the league’s reduced salary cap.

McKay knocked back a significant offer worth as much as $800,000 a year from Essendon late last season, indicating a strong desire to help lead Carlton to sustained finals appearances.

The Bombers targeted McKay as a Joe Daniher replacement last year, but McKay never seriously entertained a move away from Ikon Park.

According to Champion Data, McKay ranks first in the league for forward 50m marks (17) and second for contested marks inside 50m (seven) so far this season.

The Blues are also on the verge of a new deal for superstar captain Patrick Cripps, who suggested he was prepared to take less to help keep Carlton’s burgeoning list together.

“You want what is best for the club, so it is about how we are we going to put ourselves in a position to be a good club, and a great club, going forward for a long period of time,” Cripps told the Herald Sun.

Patrick Cripps (right) and McKay are believed to be close to working out new deals at Carlton. Picture: Michael Klein

But Carlton could consider trade offers for young wingman Lochie O’Brien (pick No. 10) at season’s end, while Paddy Dow (pick three) could feel some selection pressure on the back of 13 and 11-possession performances.

McKay, 23, has supreme athleticism and at 204cm has already been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the AFL’s successful new man-on-the-mark rule, helping open up leading lanes for key forwards.

His speed and long reach can give the 51-gamer a decisive advantage against an opponent one-out.

The Blues had planned to open talks on McKay’s contract early in the new season and are set to soon sit down with his agent, David Trotter from Hemisphere Management, about terms.

But complicating the picture for the Blues is the lucrative deals already locked-in place for Charlie Curnow and Mitch McGovern.

Mitch McGovern (right), who signed a juicy deal to join Carlton from Adelaide, will be considered to take on Gold Coast on Saturday night.

Curnow is still out as he recovers from his recurring patella injury and McGovern is pushing for a return to the senior side this weekend after a pre-season hamstring problem.

McGovern, who signed a juicy deal to join Carlton from Adelaide, played well in the VFL team at the weekend and will be considered to take on Gold Coast on Saturday night.

Curnow is hopeful of returning to the field later this season and is keen to be a part of a finals campaign if the Blues make it.