Blues seek clarity from prominent commentator over McKay injury; Magpies and premiership forward preparing to split
Updated July 20, 2026 — 3:09pm,first published 12:57pmYou have reached your maximum number of saved items.Remove items from your saved list to add more.In today’s AFL briefing:Carlton have sought clarity from prominent commentator David King after he questioned Harry McKay’s pain threshold on Saturday night.The Magpies and premiership forward Bobby Hill are set to part ways.Essendon star Nate Caddy has been discharged from hospital and is expected to play this week.Carlton have sought clarity from prominent commentator David King after he questioned Harry McKay’s pain threshold when the star forward went off injured in Saturday’s loss to Collingwood at the MCG.King, a dual North Melbourne premiership player and Fox Footy analyst, said on his breakfast radio show on SEN on Monday that the Blues had called him on Sunday to discuss his comments.“I took the call from Carlton [on Sunday] … and had a lot of [public] feedback about it [his commentary]. Look, my thoughts are my thoughts. I am not necessarily going to back over it too much,” King said.Advertisement“I think we have spoken about players that go off a little bit easy in the past. I am not saying that’s Harry on this occasion. Clearly, he has got an issue, and they are telling me he will miss two weeks. I was basically referring to an old Denis Paganism which you will know if you listened to what I said earlier.”Asked to elaborate, King said: “All good. They [Blues] disagree with what the discussion was about, which is fine. That’s footy. I am happy to move on from that.”Carlton were contacted for comment.On Sunday the Blues said McKay would be tested this week and might play against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium next Saturday.McKay’s night ended care of a knee-on-knee collision with teammate Sam Walsh in the opening term. He struggled to run before he went down to the rooms with a club doctor, and spent the rest of the game on the bench with ice on his left leg.AdvertisementOn Sunday, he was diagnosed with a minor tear of his meniscus, and bone bruising, and could miss a fortnight.In commentary, King had said: “It looks to me like the docs are saying it’s a pain management issue,” he said.“‘We know you’re under difficulty and there is some discomfort there, but this is AFL footy, we need you out there’.”When it became clear McKay would take no further part in the game, King said: “Looks like he’s put a line through himself, putting the jacket on, that’s it, night over. Incredible disappointment. You wonder whether there’s any structural issue there or is it just a pain tolerance discussion?”Advertisement“This Harry McKay discussion will rage. There’s nothing worse than when a player of that significance is not there. It changes the whole game.”In reference to his former coaches, including premiership great Denis Pagan, King said: “My old coaches would say: ‘I hope that’s a two or three-week [injury]. If that’s a 15-20 minute [injury], you lose a lot of respect’.”Carlton said on the night that McKay had been ruled out by club doctors.King added at half-time: “If that’s just a bit of pain management then you’ve got a lot more to answer for. I hope that’s not the case with Harry and time will tell.”AdvertisementMcKay, the 2021 Coleman medallist, has battled mental health problems through his career.In the AFL Players Association’s annual insights and impact report released last week, 34 per cent of players said they felt a level of disrespect by broadcast media. This included concerns about a focus on negativity and hyperbole.After seven-straight wins under caretaker coach Josh Fraser, the Blues have lost their past two games, against Hawthorn and Collingwood, but remain in contention for a wildcard berth. They host the Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.AdvertisementMagpies and star premiership forward preparing to splitJon PierikCollingwood are working towards parting ways with premiership star Bobby Hill.The 2023 Norm Smith medallist is contracted until the end of 2030 on a deal reportedly worth about $750,000 a season.Industry sources have confirmed conversations between the Magpies and Hill’s management at Mac’s Sports Promotions are ongoing. The Magpies and Mac’s Sports Management were contacted for comment.AdvertisementHill has not played a senior game since round 21 last year, largely because of personal issues.He had an extended break over summer but was welcomed back into the fold earlier this season. He had been training at suburban grounds with a trainer before returning to the club.The dynamic small forward has played three VFL games, but has not been a consistent presence at the club.Coach Craig McRae has repeatedly said he was excited about Hill’s potential return, but there was always the caveat of the unknown.AdvertisementMcRae said in June that Hill was still working through his personal issues.“Truthfully, battling,” McRae replied when asked about Hill.Loading“He has a bit going on, let’s be really clear. He has a lot going on. He’s a work in progress, but it’s nice to have him in the building.“He’s a long way away from playing footy ... but again, when he’s in our building, at least we get some opportunities to make him feel that he’s loved and appreciated.”AdvertisementHill and his partner Georgia Devlin welcomed their third child in May.Seven reported on Monday that Hill was keen for a move to the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast or Port Adelaide.Hill was originally drafted by Greater Western Sydney with pick No.24 in 2018.He has played 102 senior games across eight seasons.AdvertisementBombers confident Caddy will face HawksJon PierikEssendon are confident Nate Caddy will be available for selection this week after he was hospitalised with an irregular heart rate during Sunday’s three-point win over Greater Western Sydney.Caddy was taken to hospital for assessment, having collapsed to the turf when he got to the interchange bench in the first quarter. He had further tests but was given the all clear and discharged on Sunday night.AdvertisementEssendon’s general manager of football Daniel McPherson said he expected Caddy to train this week ahead of a clash against arch-rival Hawthorn on Saturday.“There was some concern in the first quarter when Nate’s heart rate became elevated,” McPherson said on Monday.“He was removed from the game, and our medical team assessed him at the ground before sending him to hospital for further assessment. He was discharged last night and is back at home.“He is expected to be able to train and play without concern this week.”AdvertisementCaddy recently signed a contract extension until the end of 2031 in a huge boost for the battling Bombers, who no longer sit in last spot on the ladder.Wingman Xavier Duursma (hamstring) faces a spell on the sidelines.The Bombers were able to sing the club song for only the second time in 31 games after edging the shocked Giants. It was their first win since beating Melbourne in Gather Round in Adelaide on April 11, while they had not tasted victory in Victoria since May last year.It was Dean Solomon’s first win as caretaker coach since replacing Brad Scott in May.While only 14,601 fans attended the game, the scenes of joy for the Bombers were palpable.Advertisement“It’s a bloody good feeling. Our footy club’s been on its knees for a period of time, and the footy world’s jumped on that, and they enjoy us sitting at the bottom,” Solomon said.“We’ve felt that, and we don’t like that, so to push back a little bit and get one win, albeit one win, I’m just really happy for these players.”Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.You have reached your maximum number of saved items.Remove items from your saved list to add more.More:AFL 2026Collingwood MagpiesEssendon BombersHawthorn HawksCarlton BluesJon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.
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