Harry McKay spoke to 3AW's Jimmy Bartel about all things Carlton. Here's what he had to say.
On how he is spending the off season:
“It's been pretty good so far. I went to Fiji for just over a week with my partner. We got back late last week, so it was nice to sit in the sun and read a book and just chill out. And then just started to get back into a little bit of training the last week or so. Usually have a couple of weeks of doing not much, and then the program picks up again and you get back into it.”
On reviewing his own 2025 season:
“Once your last game finishes, you have your exit week and you go through with the coaches, the high-performance team and some teammates the season as a whole for the individual and then as a team point of view. You go through the year and you always take some things to work on, some positives and whatnot.
“There's some ups and downs throughout the year but I think the way we finished as a group in the last four or five weeks was really encouraging and sometimes taking some momentum like that into the off season can be a really good thing. So, obviously not the year we wanted, but definitely some good signs to finish off, which is nice.”
On his own learnings from the season:
“There's always a few throughout the year, but I think the main thing is just every time you're out there and you can consistently pull on the jumper, it's a good thing and you never want to take that for granted. Obviously with a few injuries and missing a few games, it's never ideal, but I think any time you can consistently show up and pull on the jumper, it's a good thing.
“And then, as I said, the back half of the year, being able to play with a lot of the younger boys, the impact has been able to lead by example and the energy that they brought was something to really celebrate. I'm looking forward to bringing that into the off season. As you know, there's always learnings out of every year and always lucky to play.”
On trade talk surrounding Charlie Curnow:
“It can be a little bit of a silly season (trade season) and that's what makes the industry so entertaining to a degree with all the hypotheticals and the moving parts that an end of the season brings.
“In terms of Charlie, I haven't messaged him too much. We always chat a little bit, he's currently kicking back in Mexico. I'm sure he's using that as a good time to get away and chill out a bit. And then he'll be ready to go when he comes back. As we all know, this time of year can bring some kind of interesting hypotheticals and things like that. But it's all part of it, I guess.”
On his thoughts on the final four teams in the finals:
“I actually really admire all the teams that are in it at the moment. I think Brisbane, the ability to get back to a prelim after winning the flag last year is an incredible effort. Geelong, their ability to be able to consistently make prelims and grand finals. You have to tip your hat to that organisation, the way they go about it. And then Hawthorn, the way that they've been able to turn it around the last couple of years and play some really exciting footy. They've got a young group and play an exciting brand. And then Collingwood, who have been probably the best team all year and have won it a couple of years ago.
“There's a lot of credibility to all teams. I'm really looking forward to this weekend's game. I reckon Brisbane and Hawthorn maybe, if I had to pick. I'm just hoping for some good games.”
On his thoughts on trade and free agency:
“I can't really speak on the situation of other clubs but there's been scenarios, even with TDK and a few boys this year, in terms of using free agency or choosing to leave the club. I don't know if it's a misconception, but obviously, we're really close mates with all our teammates. You've sometimes been there for 10 plus years with them, and you really care about the person first, you are really good friends and you want the best of them as a person.
“I think we're all adult enough to realise that there's some really good opportunities. With TDK, for example, who obviously would have loved to stay, you can shake hands and really appreciate what he's managed to do for the Club. He's going to set up his family, which is significant. I think a lot of professionalism, and as long as the player is rocking up, working hard and really committed to getting better each day and being a positive person around the environment, I don't think anyone can really ask too many questions.”
On if a player can come back to a Club after being disgruntled:
“Not to critique the media industry at all, but there's a lot of hypotheticals and speculation. Often what's reported or what fans are reading can be quite different to what's actually happening inside the four walls.
“At the end of the day, we have a lot of love and care for all the players on the list and whatever may or may not have happened or be said or gone down at an exit meeting, who knows, but everyone's so professional and has a lot of care that come day one of pre-season, regardless of kind of what's transpired in the off-season, everyone gets around them. We love them and we will get to work.”
