1. Wild about Harry
Blues fans have been clamouring for Harry McKay to come into the side and they got their wish as the third-year key-forward was selected for his first senior game of the year. It took him some time to find his bearings and he fluffed a scoring chance in the first quarter when he shanked a kick on the full with a teammate on his own in the goal square. But he enjoyed a strong second term, with two goals in a couple of minutes. He didn't do a lot again until threading a superb banana-kick set shot from deep in the forward pocket in the third quarter, and then another from a free kick from the same spot with a minute remaining in the match. McKay was the only multiple goalscorer for the Blues with four, and will surely have an extended run at AFL level for now.
BLUES V EAGLES: All the stats and stories
WATCH: Harry kicks two in a minute
2. A for Effort
Like Adelaide and St Kilda, Carlton came into round five having been the subject of fierce media scrutiny and supporter dissatisfaction after a poor effort last week. And like the Crows and Saints, they responded. It was always going to be a slog, with Jacob Weitering, Matthew Kreuzer and Matthew Kennedy joining skipper Marc Murphy on the injury list, but the Blues fought and scrapped and kept the Eagles honest all afternoon. The Blues lacked some polish and some of their decision making going forward was questionable, but their fans would have headed home on Saturday night reasonably content with what they’d seen, even though their 0-5 record is their worst start to a season since 1989.
WATCH: Casboult and Nelson collide
3. Welcome to Jolimont
West Coast came into the game with four wins from their last 15 at the MCG. Traditionally, the Eagles have struggled with the width of the ground, particularly when compared to their former home ground at Domain Stadium. Their new digs at Optus Stadium are wider, but they’ve played just three games there so far, so they’re still adapting to the wider wings. They were a bit indirect and very inaccurate against the Blues, finishing with 10.19. The Eagles get another crack at the MCG in round 17 against Collingwood.
WATCH: Willie loves the MCG after one game there
4. If the quarters went 20 minutes flat…
The Blues would have done quite well. Eight of West Coast’s 10 goals to three-quarter time came in time-on, as the inexperienced Blues faded towards the end of each quarter. It’s a painful but necessary part of a developing team to run out entire quarters and the Blues aren’t there yet.
5. Record equaller
West Coast spearhead Josh Kennedy started the game against his former club with 513 goals, one behind club record holder Peter Sumich. He kicked his first for the day in the opening term to become the equal record holder and then…doughnuts. A snap for goal in the third term was over-ruled by the score review system and he ended the day with just one goal to his name and, for now, a place alongside Sumich in the record books.
