AFLW Draft: How Sophie McKay went from Gillon McLachlan’s annoying neighbour to a Blues father-daughter prospect

She used to pester Gillon McLachlan about when an AFLW competition would be introduced. Now, Sophie McKay is preparing to live out her dream of becoming a Carlton player.

Sophie McKay (right) will join Carlton as a father-daughter selection in the AFLW Draft.

For former AFL boss Gillon McLachlan, Sophie McKay was at times an annoying neighbour.

She was a young girl with a dream to follow in the footsteps of her father and play for Carlton, but as an eight-year-old there was no clear path to get there.

“AFLW wasn’t a possibility then,” Sophie said.

“At the time, he (McLachlan) was working towards that. I’d always say to him, ‘When’s it happening?’

“He actually told me one time, I remember, that 2025 was going to be the first year. It turns out that was not right, but that’s going to be the first year I’ll play, which is really great.

“Pestering Gil helped.”

Sophie, Abbie, Andrew and Sam McKay at Ikon Park. Picture: Ian Currie

McLachlan managed to bring forward the timeline for a women’s competition to 2017 and Sophie’s older sister, Abbie, was drafted to the Blues as a father-daughter selection in the 2018 national draft.

The girls’ father, Andrew, featured in 244 games for Carlton, including in the club’s 1995 premiership.

“I played with the boys at Prahran until I was 14 and got kicked out,” Sophie said.

“But at the same time, my mum (Sam) actually created the first girls team at my local football club for my sister.

Sophie McKay vs Allies:
26 touches
11 contested
equal game high 6 clearances
equal game high 7 inside 50s
game high 428 metres gained
8 score involvements
3 marks
3 tackles
1 intercept pic.twitter.com/BN9JZNDvnQ

— Carlton Blues Fans (@CarltonFCBlues) July 2, 2024

“So I was able to finish off my junior footy with the girls, but I didn’t leave the boys even when girls were available for a while, just because of the competitiveness that it brought. I think that’s why I do have good skills now, because I grew up in a different footy environment than a lot of girls.”

Sophie won a best-and-fairest with the boys one year at Prahran.

Sophie McKay playing in the Herald Sun Shield in 2023.

McKay used to pester Gillon McLachlan about when AFLW would be introduced.

Another year, she had two famous names from rival AFL clubs in charge.

“Dad and Nathan Buckley coached together one season,” Sophie said.

“I played with Nathan’s son, which was really fun. It was funny seeing No. 5’s for Collingwood and Carlton coaching young boys – and me.”

Since the days paying with the boys, Sophie has continued to flourish into an accomplished female footballer.

Sophie McKay vs South Australia:
20 touches, 8 contested
1 goal
4 inside 50s
4 intercepts
3 score involvements
3 clearances
2 tackles pic.twitter.com/7Nj58a6uT2

— Carlton Blues Fans (@CarltonFCBlues) August 12, 2024

She was part of the Melbourne Grammar side which won the Herald Sun Shield Senior Girls Division One Grand Final this year, while she also starred for Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships and impressed with the Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League.

“I’m an inside midfielder, but I do float forward quite a bit,” Sophie said.

“I like to play fast. I like to be on the outside of the contest and receive it so I can use my legs. I think that’s probably my biggest strength. I do love to hit the scoreboard, too.”

McKay brushes off a would-be tackler. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The McKay story at Carlton is about to get another chapter. Picture: Ian Currie

Sophie said it would mean “the world” to be drafted in December and join Abbie at the Blues.

“I’ve been wishing I was her the past six years, watching her run out,” she said.

“I’m counting down the days until maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to run out with her. That’s the dream.

“Nothing’s set in stone … but playing with my sister would be a dream come true.”