A rising star in the AFLW, Sophie McKay, has an incredible football lineage, yet her journey to the top was not without its twists and turns. Despite her famous football family, Sophie almost gave up on the sport entirely.
Sophie grew up surrounded by footy, with her father, Andrew McKay, a legend who played 244 games for Carlton, and her older sister, Abbie, now captaining the Blues' AFLW team. At just 10 years old, Sophie had the honor of ringing the bell at Princes Park to kick off the very first AFLW game in 2017. However, between the ages of 15 and 17, she took a break from football, questioning her love for the game.
But here's where it gets interesting... Sophie's return to the sport was sparked by a simple yet powerful realization. She told ABC Sport, "I wasn't having fun, and I felt like I had lost my love for it. Then, I joined a Captain's run at Carlton Academy, and it was like a lightbulb moment. I knew right then that this is what I needed to be doing."
It was a sense of joy and energy that Sophie had been missing, and when she came back to the game, she brought with her a renewed passion and enthusiasm that has since become her trademark.
"The key to my success is having a lot of fun in that environment. For me, that means bringing a lot of energy and being a bit silly," Sophie explained. "That's what I needed to feel my best on the field, and I think Carlton was missing that bit of flair."
Sophie is part of a new wave of talent at the Blues, alongside fellow Rising Star contenders Poppy Scholz and Lila Keck. Together, they have breathed new life into the club, which had been absent from finals action since 2020. Last season, Carlton finished 14th, but this year, they secured their spot in the finals with a dominant performance against West Coast.
And this is the part most people miss... Sophie has been through the lows with the team, witnessing the struggles from the sidelines. She said, "I've seen the emotion from our players, the pure happiness and relief after a win. Last year was tough, and I saw that with Abbie. Leading a club and not seeing results can be challenging. I feel lucky to be playing in the finals. My sister has been playing for seven years, and this is her first final."
Despite watching her sister's success, Sophie was still taken aback by the quality of the competition when she joined Carlton. She had seen the public dialogue questioning the standard of the AFLW, but her experience was different.
"I was blown away. The standard is the best I've ever been a part of. I think the younger players joining the league are raising the bar. It's impressive how quickly you can adapt and improve."
Sophie's first practice game against Richmond was a wake-up call. She realized the physicality and speed of the game had increased, and she had to step up her own game.
Despite the attention she receives, both on and off the field, Sophie embraces it. Carlton coach Mathew Buck isn't surprised by the media's interest in Sophie, saying, "She brings it on herself." Referring to her social media presence and TikTok account with Abbie, he added, "She's not shy about showcasing her talent."
But what about the attention from opposition players? Buck believes it's well-deserved, saying, "We're only seeing the tip of the iceberg with Sophie. She's going to be an incredible player."
So, what do you think? Is Sophie's rapid rise a testament to her talent, or is there more to it? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
