Harry McKay hurt his right knee when he landed awkwardly from a marking contest against Port Adelaide.Credit:Getty
A source familiar with the matter,who was not authorised to speak publicly,said there was still hope McKay could return before the end of the season,but the amount of time he would spend on the sidelines would not be known until scans were assessed on Monday. Depending on severity,a meniscus injury can keep a player out between two and six weeks.
That would be a reasonable result for Carlton as they make anunlikely late-season charge towards finals,with initial fears the injury could have been more serious.
Carlton is also likely to need to replace Jordan Boyd after the Match Review Officer sent him straight to the tribunal for his dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide’s Darcy Byrne-Jones in the second quarter of their win. Byrne-Jones was concussed in the incident.
Blues coach Michael Voss said after Carlton’s 50-point win over Port Adelaide that he was optimistic about McKay.
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“He’s hobbling around in the change rooms ... early diagnosis,no[not serious],but we’ll wait until we get the scans,” Voss said.
McKay tore the lateral meniscus in his knee in round eight last season and required surgery. He did not return until round 13 but still managed to kick 45 goals after winning the Coleman Medal in 2021 when he kicked 58 goals.