Carlton’s pre-season injury woes have worsened with leading goalkicker Harry McKay in a race against time to be fit for Round 1 as he fights foot soreness.
McKay is central to Carlton’s hopes of ending a finals drought that is verging on becoming nine seasons long after an AFL-high 58 goals in 2021.
The 24-year-old’s pre-season has been interrupted by a nagging joint soreness in his foot, and he is set to miss all of the club’s pre-season hit-outs.
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“McKay has some joint soreness in his foot that is currently being managed,” the club said in a statement.
“He won’t play against St Kilda this week, while he’s a chance to play against Melbourne (in the AAMI Community Series) next Thursday. However, the main focus is being ready for Round 1.”
With just 23 days remaining until the Blues’ season-opener against the Tigers, the club is proceeding with extreme caution.
Carlton will already be without reigning best and fairest winner Sam Walsh after he injured the syndesmosis joint in his ankle during match simulation last week.
According to the club, Walsh is expected to be sidelined for at least the first month of the season and currently has his foot in a moon boot as he works through the “recovery phase” of his training program.
A lengthy stint on the sidelines would leave Carlton relying on the oft-injured Charlie Curnow, although the club is optimistic the 25-year-old is through the worst of his injury struggles.
“His pre-season, they’ve timed his run to the start of the season. He’s been doing 100 per cent for at least six weeks to two months,” Carlton Director of Football, Greg Williams, told 3AW’s Sportsday.
“He said he’s in the best shape he’s ever been in and his knee feels great. It would be great for everyone if Charlie could get back to close to what he was, and I think he can.
“Some of the stuff he’s done at training and the match simulation stuff, he’s moving as well as he ever has.”