McKay one of two Blues injured as Collingwood topple Carlton
Blues pair Harry McKay and Adam Cerra suffered injuries as Collingwood triumphed in the latest instalment of their epic rivalry with Carlton on Saturday night.
On a sombre night for Carlton in front of 83,885 at the MCG, McKay was ruled out in the first quarter with a knee injury and Cerra in the third term due to hamstring tightness.
Harry McKay receiving medical attention. AFL Photos
In a pulsating, seesawing affair, the Magpies and Blues traded goals repeatedly before Collingwood burst ahead in the final term to win by 21 points.
After piling up seven wins on the bounce following the resignation of Michael Voss, the Blues have now lost two in a row, to Hawthorn and Collingwood.
A Blues win would have elevated them back into the wildcard spots. Instead, Josh Fraser’s side is sitting in 12th on the ladder with five games remaining.
Collingwood, on the other hand, have now won five games on the trot, against Port Adelaide, Richmond, Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Carlton.
Craig McRae’s team is sitting in seventh on the ladder, one-and-a-half wins outside the top four.
Champion midfielder Nick Daicos reeled in a game-high 36 touches on Saturday night, while key forward Tim Membrey booted a match-high three goals.
McKay was put on ice after his left knee collided with that of teammate Sam Walsh.
The incident looked to be innocuous, and North Melbourne great David King was critical of McKay ending his night early.
“For me, the solution’s still Harry,” King said on Fox Footy.
“It looks to me like the doctors are saying, ‘This is a pain management issue. Yep, we know you’re under difficulty and there is some discomfort there, but this is AFL footy. We need you out there’.
Nick Daicos celebrates. AFL Photos
“It looks like he’s put a line through himself ... An incredible disappointment.
“You wonder whether there’s any structural issue there or is it, is it just a pain tolerance discussion?”
Fraser had little to say when asked about McKay’s knee issue in his post-game press conference.
“I think we’re in the space of knowing that he couldn’t continue and having to get some more information on it early in the week,” the Carlton coach said.
When it was put to him that it appeared to be very minor contact, Fraser said: “Those ones can sometimes look worse than they appear.”
