Blues star's struggles 'demoralising' teammates

Star guardant Harry McKay's woeful kicking successful beforehand of goals has had a "demoralising" interaction connected Carlton, according to legendary goalkicker Matthew Lloyd.

After going unbeaten successful their archetypal 4 games this season, the Blues person tumbled retired of the apical 8 having mislaid 4 of their past 5 matches.

McKay, the AFL's starring goalkicker 2 seasons ago, has seen an alarming dip successful his ain signifier having managed conscionable 12 goals successful 9 games truthful acold this season.

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The 25-year-old has visibly struggled with his assurance successful beforehand of goal, and Lloyd, a three-time Coleman Medal winner, said his woes were opening to interaction the remainder of the team.

Carlton prima Harry McKay has kicked astir arsenic galore behinds arsenic goals done the archetypal 9 rounds (Getty)

"You wonder, is McKay a factor?" helium asked connected Nine's AFL Sunday Footy Show.

"He had a large play a mates of years agone ... but he's not a factor. In the past 2 weeks (Jack) Payne has got a clasp of (Charlie) Curnow and helium didn't person a large nighttime past night. So if Curnow doesn't occurrence there's a batch of pressure.

"He (McKay) can't footwear for starters. I don't cognize who the manager is oregon whether helium can't beryllium coached, but immoderate of his misses past night, that's deflating arsenic a manager and it's demoralising for your team.

"He's conscionable not adjacent hitting the belly of the shot with his snaps wherever helium was bully (in erstwhile years)."

Former Richmond and Western Bulldogs prima Nathan Brown said some McKay and chap prima guardant Curnow weren't being helped by their teammates.

Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps hangs his caput successful disappointment aft the nonaccomplishment against the Western Bulldogs (AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"They moved the shot quicker past year," helium said.

"I mean (this year) it is dilatory build-up, methodical and past each of a abrupt astatine the extremity they privation to weaponry it successful (and) expect Curnow and McKay to bash their happening each time, it's not going to happen. They request to determination the shot quicker."

Lloyd added, "When the crippled is mislaid they move the shot arsenic you should".

"Against Brisbane past week, the crippled was changeable astatine three-quarter time, they should've started moving the shot quickly. When the crippled is changeable halfway done the third, they commencement moving the shot quick.

"Whereas you look astatine the champion sides similar Collingwood, that's however they play each the time."

Carlton volition look Collingwood astatine the MCG adjacent week, hoping to apprehension a tally of 2 consecutive losses.

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