“A Grand Final doesn't define you”: McKay on Carlton’s premiership push and flag aspirations

Carlton forward Harry McKay isn’t in a rush to win a premiership despite believing that the Blues are well-placed to win the 2025 flag.

With two years of finals experience behind them, many are predicting that the Blues can go all the way in 2025, and McKay thinks that the group can give things a ‘good shake’ this season.

While the Blues are clearly in the flag window, the 27-year-old doesn’t think that 2025 is the be-all and end-all for himself and the group – despite that being the obvious goal - as he and much of the club’s core have plenty of good footy ahead of them.

“Definitely and obviously the goal to win one,” McKay told SEN's Whateley.

“As I said, the group is in a really good place right now to give it a good shake.

“As a group, we're right in the window now and anything can happen for as long as you’re playing,

“So, I don't think there's a ‘rushness’ that we need to win the Grand Final this year, although as a senior player, that's what you're all you're thinking about every time you wake up.”

Even though McKay understands that his career is finite and the chance to win a flag gets slimmer as the years go on, his focus is purely day-to-day and he hopes the playing group takes each game as it comes and won’t let premiership success define them.

“But, yeah, there's obviously an understanding that they're hard to win and as you get older and older, that window gets smaller,” McKay said.

“But I think all you can do is focus on the day and control what you can control and actually try and enjoy the journey because a Grand Final doesn't define what you are as a player.

“Just try to enjoy the job and what we get to do for a living, which is pretty cool, then knowing that if we get enough right, that'll take care of itself.”

Carlton begin their 2025 season with a Round 1 clash against Richmond at the MCG on Thursday, March 13.