THE RIGHT spot, the right time.

Carlton’s VFLW team celebrated an epic last-quarter victory against the Darebin Falcons last Saturday, to register its third win of the season.

It was Abbie McKay who provided the final-term heroics, kicking two last-quarter goals and helping the Blues steal a seven-point victory.

However, McKay’s burst of brilliance almost didn’t happen, with the young Blue finding herself in the change rooms deep into the fourth quarter before being thrown straight into the thick of the action.

“I actually ran straight from the change rooms onto the ground because I was very sore, so they just threw me in the forward line,” McKay said.

“I just ended up being in the right spot at the right time, and got to kick a couple of goals which was good.”

A trip down the highway for the last #VFLWBlues game of the season.



Here's the team for Saturday's game. #BoundByBlue — Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 22, 2019

Having spent her time playing for the AFLW Blues in the midfield, the 18-year old has been expanding her skillset, playing up forward during the VFLW season.

Aside from her goalkicking, McKay’s pressure acts in the forward line have been a welcome addition to the VFLW Blues, creating opportunities for fellow forwards Bry Gurr and Sidney Cubasch.

“I’ve spent a couple of quarters most games in the forward line. It’s just getting me in that forward mindset,” she said.

“I think going into the AFLW season, they’re looking for me to play a little bit more of a forward role rather than a midfield role. It’s been good to just get used to it a little bit.”

After playing four games in her debut year in the Navy Blue, McKay is seeing the benefits of a full season playing with the VFLW Blues.

Particularly, the youngster has enjoyed the development of her physicality and fitness, believing the hard work now will pay massive dividends come the beginning of the AFLW season.

Abbie McKay was the star, kicking the final two goals of the game as our #VFLWBlues recorded win No.3 of the season. #BoundByBlue — Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 17, 2019

“It’s been good, especially for me physically because I think that’s something that I struggled with in the AFLW season,” she said.

“It’s been good to try and adjust my body a bit to try and sustain so much over a long period of time.

“It’s been really good for me physically and mentally as well, just to try and stay in the game the whole season.”

Carlton will be looking to finish its season on a high note, taking on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

It will be a familiar setting for McKay, who made her AFLW debut against the Cats in Round 4 of the 2019 season.

McKay was also one of the Blues’ best the last time these two teams met earlier this year, collecting a career-best 24 disposals and laying four tackles in Carlton’s narrow eight-point loss.

“They’re just an aggressive team, there’s so much intensity in the way that they play. They’re really hard to play against,” she said.

“Hopefully, we can bring what we brought last week and build from that.”