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Buckley: Why I'd keep Harry McKay over Charlie Curnow
Jaiden Sciberras • August 18th, 2025 8:31 pm
Carlton have enjoyed a relatively solid return in recent weeks, with much credit owed to key forward Harry McKay.
The 2021 Coleman Medallist has fought through significant difficulty over the course of the season; however, his last three weeks have been a true indication for the talent that McKay possesses.
Booting 12 goals in his last four games including an equal career-high seven against Port Adelaide, McKay has excelled in Charlie Curnow’s absence, anchoring the Blues’ forward half while also enhancing the games of the club’s small forward ranks.
With new CEO Graham Wright set to make a range of major list decisions over the upcoming offseason, the Blues’ forward half as we know it may be playing out its final few games as a collective, and with significant value within both McKay and Curnow, many have suggested that the club cash in on one of the two talls.
As interest in Curnow continues to grow amid speculation surrounding his future, former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has admitted that if any of the star forwards were to go, keeping McKay should be the priority.
“I get the sense that, if Harry costs two thirds of what Charlie does… Harry can play multiple roles, I think Harry is the one that you keep,” Buckley told SEN’s Whateley.
“It gives you more wiggle room, you lock him away for a little less and it gives you more space in your cap.
“I think Carlton have played somewhat energised in the last three or four weeks. The reasons for that, only they know internally.
“They’ve probably gone a little bit younger. They’ve flicked roles around, a little bit of stability knowing that the coach is going to be there doesn’t hurt for that period.
“I think Harry looks like he’s playing free. There's an issue with that as well - when there’s nothing to play for you play well - so there’s some challenges there for Harry and for Carlton.
“But don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. There are not many blokes that get around and can have 20 touches and kick 7 goals, take a pluck, use the ball relatively well, compete when he needs to compete.
“That role is very important in the modern game. I think Harry can be a really good key forward who goes into the second ruck in a really good team. That probably something you lock away.
“When this same question was asked 18 months ago, I would have gone the same way then. It’s not just what they do from a talent perspective; what does it mean when they are in the team?
“Do they make the people around them better? Carlton would be more aware of that than anyone else.”
McKay and the Blues will take on Essendon in the final round before the off-season whirlwind commences.
