A timely reminder of how lucky Carlton is to have these weapons at their disposal.
In the Age today...
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A yip-less Harry McKay was the hero of the hour, plucking a powerful mark and slotting the set shot to put the Blues ahead; McKay had set up the previous goal to Patrick Cripps, too, and while he had some glitches, Harry was the most influential player afield.
If McKay closed the deal, the Blues wouldn’t have been close if not for Harry’s forward partner Charlie Curnow, whose run of four goals in the second and third quarter whittled the Lions’ large lead to seven points.
So, while the competition contains too many variables to coronate Carlton (or condemn the Lions), the comeback should put paid to the specious notion that there isn’t room for McKay in a Curnow-centred attack.
The theory that the Blues fare better with only one of Curnow or McKay – which really means with only Charlie – gained a surprising level of currency within media, fans and even from some rival club officials in 2023.
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Over the past three seasons, Curnow averages 2.7 goals when playing alongside McKay and 3.6 when Harry is missing. McKay, meanwhile, averages 1.9 goals with Curnow and 3.1 when Charlie is grounded.
Somehow, the fact that both players kick more goals when they’re solo led to a conclusion – admittedly, a minority view – that the Blues would improve their flag prospects by selling McKay and letting Curnow hold up the forward line, potentially deploying Tom De Koning as the second tall target (and back-up ruck).
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Aided by this double threat, the Blues booted seven goals from just 14 entries in the third quarter.
The against-all-odds triumph highlighted that McKay and Curnow have different styles and dimensions – the former a hulking 200-centimetre giant, the latter a super athlete with rare agility and lateral movement. Hardly any rival teams have two key defenders with the necessary traits and talents to match both at once.
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For the Blues, Curnow can play higher up the field if necessary, as McKay keeps a tall back such as Andrews occupied. Ideally, the tandem work best when they’re surrounded by smalls and medium-sized options, rather than with De Koning as a third banana.
The slights on McKay have been a familiar case of critics – and I’ve not been immune – focusing too much on his foibles and forgetting his considerable strengths.
To have two menacing key forwards in one forward line is a major point of difference between the Blues and at least 16 clubs, and on Friday evening, it made all the difference.