Geelong legend Cameron Mooney has called out Carlton’s “flying roosters” problem, challenging Coleman medallists Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow to improve their chemistry in attack.
Curnow, who currently leads the league’s goalkicking, and McKay combined for just two goals in the Blues’ loss to Brisbane on Friday night as the star duo struggled to fire together.
Having previously come under scrutiny for their inability to coexist in the same forward line, Mooney on Fox Footy Live highlighted vision of the twin towers disrupting each other in forward 50 against the Lions.
Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
And Mooney, who booted 297 goals from 221 games and twice led the Cats’ goalkicking, believes it’s ultimately limiting Carlton from reaching its potential as a premiership contender.
“This is bad. This is what I don’t like to see with key forwards when they’re jumping on top of each other — and I see this a lot with these two players,” the three-time premiership forward said on Fox Footy.
“I’m a big advocate, when you’re a key forward, you’ve got to give each other space and one-on-ones. When you’ve got that, you don’t then go and jump on top of him.
“That to me is selfish and probably thinking about your own game a little bit more.
“That is not how a premiership forward line works. They’re arguably the two most talented key forwards in the game. Yet are we talking about them as a premiership forward line? We aren’t at the moment.
“These two guys should lead this football club to a premiership. These two are so bloody good it’s unbelievable, but I don’t think their cohesion is that good at the moment.”
Carlton Blues press conference | 10:09
While Curnow currently leads the Coleman Medal race with 31 goals — just one major ahead of Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron — McKay sits 27th with 12 goals, which has him on track for his worst return since 2020.
In terms of how they can improve their synergy, Mooney thinks Curnow and McKay need to have better separation in the forward half and must play more selflessly at times.
“It’s not always going to happen, but you don’t want two guys running to the same spot and jumping on top of each other,” Mooney added.
“At times you might just have to stop your lead and protect (the space).
“You don’t see Tommy Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron jumping into each other.”
The loss to Brisbane saw Carlton fall to 4-3-1 on the season and suddenly only sit narrowly inside the top eight.
