Carlton have been hit with a major blow ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs, with forward Harry McKay to miss for the second week in a row.
McKay was a late withdrawal from the Blues’ team which lost to the Hawks last Thursday night, with the club citing illness.
However, in a statement on Thursday morning, the Blues revealed the 27-year old has been absent from the club for personal reasons, and will miss at least the Bulldogs clash as well, while being in grave doubt for their Round 4 match against archrivals Collingwood.
“Following Thursday night’s game against Hawthorn, the forward was then absent from the club for a number of days due to personal reasons,” the Blues’ statement reads.
“He returned to the Club on Wednesday and was able to train with teammates, however the 27-year-old’s wellbeing remains a focus as he continues to work through a personal matter.
“The club is providing the appropriate support to McKay, with his availability for Round 4 to be determined next week.”
McKay, the 2021 Coleman Medallist, bagged 49 goals in 2024, with his much-improved accuracy in front of goal keeping him in All-Australian contention for much of the season.
His absence will increase the Blues’ reliance on star forward Charlie Curnow, who struggled in Round 2 in his first game back from off-season surgery.
Harry McKay celebrates the winning goal in Carlton’s one-point win over Brisbane. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Reid learns fate over bird-flip
West Coast’s second-year star Harley Reid has been handed a $1000 fine by the AFL for the offensive gesture he made during his side’s loss to Brisbane.
Reid was a target for the Gabba crowd last Sunday and playfully flashed his middle finger to Lions fans after one of them had offered him a packet of tissues.
The 19-year-old escaped a fine from the AFL’s match review officer, but league officials stepped in and asked the Eagles to explain the marquee midfielder’s actions.
Having obtained further context around the incident, the AFL on Wednesday charged Reid with misconduct.
“After requesting a please explain and reviewing Reid’s submission, the AFL determined his actions during Sunday’s game warranted a financial sanction,” the league said in a statement.
Reid, the No.1 draft pick in 2023, has faced plenty of criticism over his actions during West Coast’s defeats to Gold Coast and Brisbane at the start of his second season.
He struggled in the Eagles’ home loss to the Suns and while he was more involved against the Lions, he also gave away seven free kicks.
Reid had an altercation with Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko and showed his middle finger to the crowd during the final quarter after a tangle with Oscar McInerney near the boundary.
The criticism has come despite post-match pleas from first-year Eagles coach Andrew McQualter.
“There’s a fair bit of commentary about Harley all the time, so last week was not necessarily different,” McQualter said on Sunday.
“We try and bash the theatre out of this game, don’t we?
“He’s just having a bit of fun and sometimes that’s good for the game, I think.”
(AAP)
Port debutant makes Tourettes history
Port Adelaide’s Tom Cochrane will become the first player with Tourette syndrome to feature in the AFL when making his debut against Essendon.
The 19-year-old’s first appearance at the elite level is being hailed by Power coach Ken Hinkley as a “great story for the AFL”.
Cochrane, the son for former Port and North Melbourne utility Stuart, has been picked for Thursday night’s clash against the Bombers after strong returns in state league trial games.
The forward has kicked seven goals in the past two trials for Port’s state league side.
Cochrane was diagnosed with Tourette’s as a nine-year-old, with the syndrome manifesting in vocal tics, usually swear words.
Hinkley said Cochrane was immediately embraced by Port after being selected in last November’s rookie draft.
“His courage to stand up in front and talk about what his challenges have been, everyone sort of knew where Tommy was at,” Hinkley told reporters on Wednesday,
“But to be able to be comfortable enough very early in his time at Port Adelaide is such a sign for us that he’s a part of our family and been a part of this family for a long period of time.
“It is a great story for us as a football club, a great story for AFL football.”
Cochrane’s father Stuart played 54 AFL games for the Power from 2003-05, arriving from North Melbourne where he played 50 matches.
Stuart, who was been part of Port Adelaide’s staff as a development coach in AFL ranks and the club’s state league defensive coach, is battling leukemia.
Hinkley said he was full of pride for how Tom Cochrane had overcome his personal challenges.
“And I am proud of his family,” he said.
“He has taken on his challenges and fitted into an AFL environment in a short period of time.”
Cochrane will be the Power’s third AFL debutant this year, following Joe Berry and Christian Moreas.
“They do show you, every time you pick young people, that they can bring great energy to the team … so it’s exciting,” Hinkley said.
“You never put ceilings on them.
“That is what you always learn in the game when you’re in it, you give them an opportunity and they take those opportunities and they explore who they are and want to be.”
Port, with one win and a loss, meet a winless Essendon at Marvel Stadium with both clubs on a short turnaround since playing last Saturday.
“We know our industry is a performance-based industry and the demands on us are to turn up and be ready to go again,” Hinkley said.
“We know the competition with Thursday night football, everyone is going to have these challenges – and we’re ready for it.”
Essendon have also named a debutant, picking attacking half-back Saad El-Hawli.
The 23-year-old, a mid-season draftee last year, was selected alongside defender Jordan Ridley, who returns after a week in concussion protocols.
Elijah Tsatas (finger) and Archie Perkins (quad) are out injured.
Port called up Esava Ratugolea and Ivan Soldo for their first games of the season, with Jack Lukosius (knee), Ryan Burton (hip flexor) and Lachie Jones (adductor) all injured.
(AAP)
