Why Charlie Curnow, Carlton need Harry McKay up forward to topple Brisbane

Despite suggestions the Blues don’t need Harry McKay, Michael Voss has been unwavering in his support of the forward, but do the stats back him up?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 08: Charlie Curnow of the Blues celebrates with Harry McKay of the Blues after kicking a goal during the round eight AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium on May 08, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Just like Batman is stronger with Robin by his side, Charlie Curnow is a better player with Harry McKay on the park.

Carlton coach Michael Voss scoffs at suggestions that Harry McKay is not in the club’s best 22, which reared their head again on the weekend.

“I get somewhat bemused by some of the commentary around Harry,” Voss said on Saturday.

“If we are to take that next step, he’s important to it. So if he’s available, he will be playing.”

Curnow describes playing with McKay as a “treat”, as the pair prepare to team up for Carlton’s preliminary final clash against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night.

McKay might have missed two goals from close range that he should have kicked before he was concussed in the Blues’ elimination final win over Sydney.

However, Curnow missed his fellow key forward in last week’s semi-final win over Melbourne.

Charlie Curnow struggled to have an impact against the Dees with Steven May tracking his every move. Picture: Michael Klein

Going toe-to-toe with Melbourne defender Steven May, Curnow had his second-lowest rated game of the year against the Demons with just nine disposals, five marks and one goal.

It has been somewhat of a trend for Curnow across the five matches that McKay has missed in the second half of this year.

With McKay in the side this season, Curnow has averaged 14.1 disposals, 7.5 marks, 8.4 score involvements and 3 goals.

From those five matches without McKay, Curnow averages 13.6 disposals, 6.1 marks, 6.5 score involvements and 3.6 goals.

One of the matches without McKay was Curnow’s 10-goal haul against West Coast in round 19, which skews the goals tally more than a little.

“The role doesn’t really change. It stays the same,” Curnow said on Monday when asked about McKay’s planned return.

“But it obviously helps me out heaps having ‘H’ back in as another tall forward target that can draw defenders and it helps the whole team.

“You can work off each other and I don’t have to run to as many contests, which is nice. You kind of share loads a bit.

“He’s been out a few times and I’ve been out a few times (in previous seasons), so it’s always a treat when we get to play together.”

Curnow said he would take a back to basics approach this week, on the back of the tough match-up with May and a slight drop off in form.

Since round 21, Curnow has averaged 12.3 disposals, six marks and 2.2 goals.

“My process each week is just trying to create a contest and get the ball to ground and work off from there,” Curnow said.

“You get to come up against the best defenders in the comp and that’s the best part about finals. Maysey is a gun and it was a tough contest on the weekend but I’m looking forward to this weekend also. I’ll pretty much go back to the basics and work rate and contest is something I always look to so I’ll be looking to do that again this week.”