Carlton key forward Harry McKay never contemplated leaving the Blues.
The current Coleman Medal leader has signed a two-year contract extension to remain at the club, which will see him tied to Ikon Park until the end of 2023.
Despite the 4-8 start to the season, McKay is confident in the direction of the club.
“I’ve played all my football here and I love the club. Throughout the year I was pretty keen to put my football first and play some consistent football and worry about contract stuff later and the bye came at a good time for that,” McKay told SEN’s Whateley.
“I’m really excited where this group can go and obviously we’re not exactly where we want to be, but I’m excited to be a part of that for the next few years.
“I wouldn’t have re-signed if I didn’t have some faith that we were going in the right direction. I’m really excited to be a part of what comes next in the next couple of years.”
Interest in the 23-year-old from other clubs has been reported in previous weeks, including the likes of Essendon and North Melbourne and McKay said his manager had made him aware of it.
“That’s his job to a degree, but as I said, the whole time I was dealing just with Carlton,” he said.
“You have to use a bit of logic when you’re playing some good football and you’re out of contract, there’s always going to be a little bit of interest and that’s the industry we live in, but I said all along Carlton was the only team I was dealing with.
“It’s flattering to get a little bit of interest from other clubs, but I’ve played all my football here and I’m looking forward to continuing that.”
McKay suffered a concussion during Carlton’s loss to West Coast in Round 12, but says he is feeling fresh coming off the bye.
“I’m really good. If there’s ever a week to have a head knock it was probably last week with the bye so it came at a nice time,” he said.
“The shoulder to a degree as well. Everyone’s carrying niggles and a few bumps and hits at this time of year, but it came at a nice time to freshen up.
“I’ve had a few little niggles, but I was able to get in some training during the week and feel refreshed now. We had a good week off and I’m looking forward to the weekend.”
Carlton takes on GWS at Giants Stadium this weekend.
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