Humble Harry McKay Reflects on the 2024 Season and Looks Forward to 2025
As the curtain closes on the 2024 Australian Football League (AFL) season, few players embody the highs and lows of the game quite like Carlton’s towering key forward, Harry McKay. Nicknamed “Humble Harry” for his down-to-earth persona despite being one of the league’s premier talents, McKay’s 2024 campaign has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Now, as he reflects on the season gone by, McKay is candid about the challenges he faced, the lessons learned, and his renewed drive heading into 2025.
The 2024 AFL season was anticipated to be a breakout year for McKay. At 26 years old, he entered the season with a Coleman Medal under his belt and an All-Australian selection to his name. His combination of size, agility, and goal sense made him a formidable presence in the forward line, with Carlton fans eagerly hoping he would continue to lead the club’s resurgence.
However, as McKay reflects on the season, he admits it didn’t entirely go according to plan. “I came into 2024 with a lot of expectations, both from myself and from the outside world. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype, but footy has a way of keeping you grounded,” McKay shares.
While McKay delivered several standout performances throughout the year, including a few match-winning hauls, inconsistency plagued his season. Injuries were a constant disruptor, with a nagging ankle issue that saw him miss crucial games in the middle of the year. The forward line chemistry, once seamless with teammate Charlie Curnow, faltered at times, and McKay found himself battling form slumps. “It was frustrating because I knew what I was capable of, but my body didn’t always cooperate. Some weeks I felt unstoppable, and others, it was like I was chasing the game rather than leading it,” McKay admits.
Despite these struggles, McKay’s 2024 wasn’t without its successes. He finished the season with a respectable 45 goals, reaffirming his status as one of the competition’s elite key forwards. Carlton, too, had a solid year, making the finals and giving fans hope that the club’s premiership window is still wide open.
What may not have been evident to fans from the stands was the internal battle McKay faced throughout the season. “2024 was as much a mental challenge as it was a physical one,” he reflects. “When things aren’t going your way, it’s easy to doubt yourself, and that’s something I had to confront this year. Learning to trust my preparation and focus on the next contest, regardless of what’s happened before, was a big takeaway.”
McKay worked closely with Carlton’s sports psychologists to sharpen his mental resilience, and it’s a part of his game he believes is just as important as physical skills. “Footy is a tough sport – you’re out there in front of tens of thousands of people, and you can feel the weight of the game on your shoulders. For me, it was about blocking out the noise and focusing on the fundamentals: compete, lead, and back myself.”
Another key development for McKay in 2024 was his evolution as a leader within the Carlton squad. With the club undergoing a transitional phase and a younger generation of players stepping up, McKay found himself taking on more responsibility, both on and off the field.
“I’ve always been someone who leads by example, but this year, I really had to embrace being a voice in the locker room,” McKay reflects. “We’ve got some great young talent coming through, and part of my job is helping them find their way, whether it’s through advice or just setting the standard in training.”
Carlton coach Michael Voss praised McKay’s growth as a leader, highlighting his selflessness and willingness to do what’s best for the team. “Harry is the kind of player who gives everything, not just on the field but behind the scenes. He’s a mentor to the younger guys, and that’s invaluable as we push towards our goals.”
With the 2024 season behind him, McKay has already turned his attention to 2025. Fully recovered from his ankle issues, he’s optimistic about what lies ahead. “2025 is going to be huge. I’ve got my body right, I’ve learned so much from this year, and I’m ready to hit the ground running.”
McKay’s goals for 2025 are clear. First and foremost, he wants to be more consistent, delivering top-tier performances week in, week out. “I know I’ve got another level to go to. The goal is to be one of the most reliable forwards in the game. Whether that means more goals, more contested marks, or just doing the little things to help the team, I’m ready to take that next step.”
Another major ambition for McKay is team success. Carlton’s long-suffering fanbase has waited decades for a premiership, and McKay believes 2025 could be their year. “We’ve been building towards something special. The boys are hungry, we’ve got the talent, and now it’s about putting it all together. I want to be part of that – to help bring a flag back to Carlton.”
As McKay enters his prime, he’s also begun to think more about his legacy in the AFL. While individual accolades like the Coleman Medal are important, he’s more focused on what he can leave behind for the club and its supporters. “At the end of the day, I want to be remembered as someone who gave everything for Carlton. I want to be part of a team that’s remembered for doing something special. The individual stuff is great, but it’s the team success that really matters.”
Part of that legacy, McKay hopes, will involve inspiring the next generation of players. “When I was coming through, I had older guys like Marc Murphy and Eddie Betts who showed me the ropes. If I can be that guy for the young forwards coming through now, then I know I’ve done my job.”
As Harry McKay reflects on 2024, it’s clear that the season was one of growth – not just as a player, but as a person. The challenges, setbacks, and moments of self-doubt have only strengthened his resolve as he looks to the future.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself this year, both on and off the field,” McKay says with his trademark humility. “I know I’m not perfect, and I’ll keep working to get better. But I’m confident that 2025 will be my best season yet.”
For Carlton supporters, those words carry the weight of hope. If McKay’s reflections on 2024 are anything to go by, the Blues’ towering forward is set to make his mark on the AFL in the years to come – and perhaps, finally, bring a long-awaited premiership back to the Navy Blues.
