Carlton Blues star Harry McKay ruled out of Western Bulldogs clash, personal reasons

Gun Carlton forward Harry McKay has been ruled out of Friday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs due to personal reasons.

The 2021 Coleman Medallist missed last week’s game against Hawthorn, which the club said was due to illness.

He was given time away from the club due to personal reasons after the Hawks clash, and although he returned to training on Wednesday, he won’t play at Marvel Stadium on Friday night as the Blues aim for their first win of the season.

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“The 27-year-old’s wellbeing remains a focus as he continues to work through a personal matter,” Carlton said in a statement on Thursday.

“The club is providing the appropriate support to McKay, with his availability for round four to be determined next week.”

Carlton coach Michael Voss addressed the McKay matter in a press conference on Thursday.

“He’s doing OK. He was dealing with a few things during the week, took some time away from the club, but felt best that he doesn’t play this week,” Voss said.

“We’ll give him the space he needs to work through a few things and not necessarily put a timeframe on it, but hopefully [he] will be back soon.

“He was back at the club on Wednesday — needed a few days away and used the opportunity to create a bit of space.

“We respect his privacy and we get on with things as a team.”

Voss said it would always be a matter of “player over performance”.

“He’ll get the support he needs at the club. We’ll wrap our arms around him as I hope the whole football industry does,” the Carlton coach added.

McKay’s unavailability is a huge blow to the Blues, who have opened their premiership campaign with consecutive defeats to Richmond and Hawthorn.

Backed as hot favourites against the Tigers in round one, the Blues led by 41 points during the second quarter but conceded 12 of the last 14 goals to suffer a 13-point defeat.

Carlton great Brendon Fevola said it was “one of the darkest nights in Carlton’s history”.

The Blues then slumped to a 20-point loss to the Hawks.

A silver lining for the Blues is their other star key forward, two-time Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow, is fit again after an injury-interrupted pre-season.

Curnow missed the Tigers clash due to a knee injury but faced the Hawks.

He went goalless for just the second time since round one of the 2022 season.