Cornes urges Carlton to make 'brutal' McKay call

September 19, 2023 admin Uncategorized 0

Kane Cornes believes Carlton should leave star forward Harry McKay out of its preliminary final team, saying he "adds pressure" to the team due to his poor kicking.

McKay missed Carlton's semi final win over Melbourne last week, but is expected to return to the side for its clash against Brisbane on Saturday evening after recovering from a concussion.

The 2021 Coleman Medal winner has struggled mightily in front of goal this season, kicking just 27 goals and 27 behinds in 20 appearances, and Cornes urged Carlton coach Michael Voss to leave him out.

READ MORE: Cornes urges 'short-sighted' Power to make call

READ MORE: Gal's stunning retirement admission over reborn star

READ MORE: 'What the hell?': Gus' major issue with this photo

"I can't trust him in a final," he told Nine's Footy Classified.

"Michael Voss has said he would play if he's fit, but I wouldn't play him.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 27: Harry McKay and his Blues team mates look dejected after losing the round 24 AFL match between Carlton Blues and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Marvel Stadium, on August 27, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

"I think they're a better team without him just to be brutally honest. I think his issues can infiltrate the psyche of the group.

"If he's missing goals in the first quarter from 10m out directly in front I think it's an issue for them, and I think they're playing pretty well without him. I think he adds pressure."

Footy Classified is now available as a podcast! Subscribe/follow via Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts

An injury during the home and away season meant McKay was out of Carlton's side between rounds 19 and 22, a period in which teammate Charlie Curnow booted 19 goals.

While Curnow was a dominant force during the home and away season, taking out his second straight Coleman Medal, he has kicked just two goals in two finals so far.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Charlie Curnow of the Blues celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL First Semi Final match between the Melbourne Demons and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 15, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Cornes put pressure on the 26-year-old ahead of the clash against Brisbane and star defender Harris Andrews.

"Since round 24, when he won the Coleman Medal, he's hardly touched the footy. Not only that, his opponent has been best on ground," he said.

"(GWS defender Jack) Buckley beat him after that moment for the rest of the three quarters, (Tom) McCartin was Sydney's best, and (Melbourne's Steven) May was the best on ground, so not only is he not impacting, his opponents are having too much of a say.

"So the spotlight is on him because reputations are built in finals and he's yet to enhance his in big games."

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply