Star forward Harry McKay’s woeful kicking in front of goals has had a “demoralising” impact on Carlton, according to legendary goalkicker Matthew Lloyd.
After going unbeaten in their first four games this season, the Blues have tumbled out of the top eight having lost four of their last five matches.
McKay, the AFL’s leading goalkicker two seasons ago, has seen an alarming dip in his own form having managed just 12 goals in nine games so far this season.
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The 25-year-old has visibly struggled with his confidence in front of goal, and Lloyd, a three-time Coleman Medal winner, said his woes were beginning to impact the rest of the team.
“You wonder, is McKay a factor?” he asked on Nine’s AFL Sunday Footy Show.
“He had a great season a couple of years ago … but he’s not a factor. In the last two weeks (Jack) Payne has got a hold of (Charlie) Curnow and he didn’t have a great night last night. So if Curnow doesn’t fire there’s a lot of pressure.
“He (McKay) can’t kick for starters. I don’t know who the coach is or whether he can’t be coached, but some of his misses last night, that’s deflating as a coach and it’s demoralising for your team.
“He’s just not even hitting the belly of the ball with his snaps where he was good (in previous years).”
Former Richmond and Western Bulldogs star Nathan Brown said both McKay and fellow star forward Curnow weren’t being helped by their teammates.
“They moved the ball quicker last year,” he said.
“I mean (this year) it is slow build-up, methodical and then all of a sudden at the end they want to bomb it in (and) expect Curnow and McKay to do their thing every time, it’s not going to happen. They need to move the ball quicker.”
Lloyd added, “When the game is lost they move the ball as you should”.
“Against Brisbane last week, the game was shot at three-quarter time, they should’ve started moving the ball quickly. When the game is shot halfway through the third, they start moving the ball quick.
“Whereas you look at the best sides like Collingwood, that’s how they play all the time.”
Carlton will face Collingwood at the MCG next week, hoping to arrest a run of two straight losses.
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