Carlton star Harry McKay hits out at trade talk and backs his ‘long-term contract’, Michael Voss’ role
Michael Voss is staying, so could some Carlton stars be going? Despite being constantly linked to a trade,
Carlton star Harry McKay has pushed back on talk he could be traded this off-season, declaring he feels “very loved and valued” at the Blues.
As the Blues head towards an expected summer of upheaval, attention has narrowed on stars on big contracts as a way to free up space and flexibility for the club.
Carlton shut down any chance of trading Charlie Curnow last month while free agent Tom De Koning is expected to depart for St Kilda.
McKay said he was used to speculation about his future but had little interest in a trade, pointing to his contract that ties him to the Blues until the end of 2030.
Even if Carlton pushed him to be traded, McKay could stop the idea, as players can’t be traded without their consent.
“I think I get traded every year. The media is the media, that plays a huge role in the game and you can see that for what it is,” he told this masthead.
“Internally I feel very loved and valued and I think people might forget that I have a long-term contract.
“I don’t know if that stands for much these days but as I said, hypotheticals are hypotheticals and they can be fun to explore for other people but we are pretty good inside the four walls at keeping things in our control and backing each other in.”
McKay said he was “really confident we have a strong list and a great coach with a strong leadership hierarchy” so he expected the Blues to bounce back up the ladder next year.
Seen as a premiership contender in the pre-season, the Blues sit down in 14th place with two rounds to go.
But McKay said he thought “our brand is back” after a late charge in Saturday’s loss to Gold Coast.
The Suns game came after coach Michael Voss was backed in last week to coach out his contract in 2026.
The goalkicker said he was “pumped” that Voss’ future was “put to be now and we can stop talking about it”.
“The care he has for everyone, his character is first class,” McKay said.
“The way he leads and motivates is great. I am sure there are a few things we all have to get better at and change and going into next year, that will happen, but stability is important.
“The way Vossy has led through a bit of a tricky season has been unbelievable.”
McKay has endured a difficult season, having taken a break for personal reasons in the opening rounds, the undergoing mid-season knee surgery, with this to be the first year since 2020 he has played less than 19 games.
The 2021 Coleman medallist booted three goals leading a young forward line in the Gold Coast loss in an impressive effort.
“It’s been a bit of an up and down year, a strange year,” he said.
‘I think it is the most I have missed ever in terms of games. I have actually really enjoyed some moments, especially the last couple of weeks, coming back in has been really energising.
“I think a lot of us haven’t had perfect years. That is footy and life but there have definitely been some fun moments, so looking forward to the last couple of weeks to finish off strong.”
Originally published as Carlton star Harry McKay hits out at trade talk and backs his ‘long-term contract’, Michael Voss’ role
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