McKay told Fairfax Media the decision was mutual and he was keen to continue his career in a different environment if the right football role was available. Loading He said announcing his intention to depart now would give Carlton the best chance to make the right appointment before an important off-season and also allowed him to pursue other opportunities without having to keep his decision under wraps. "I have been at Carlton for 11 years as a player and seven years as an administrator," McKay said. "If I am going to continue myself further in this space I need to experience a different environment."

Carlton stalwart Kade Simpson, who reaches 300 games this Saturday, made his debut alongside 2003 when McKay was captain. He said it was a selfless act by McKay to announce his departure at this time to ensure the Blues could prepare beyond this season with a strong appointment. ''Macca was an incredible player for the club, but to then come back and do what he's done for the club as general manager ... he's always going to be a Carlton person," Simpson said. McKay joined Carlton as head of football in October 2011 after a successful stint in the AFL's football operations department in a variety of roles, including the match review panel and game analysis. He has overseen a period of transition at Carlton, as the club appointed Mick Malthouse to replace Brett Ratten as coach in 2013.

When the Blues moved on Malthouse at the end of 2015, they appointed Brendon Bolton as coach in 2016 and embarked on a full rebuild of their playing list, turning over 42 players in the past three seasons. Loading The Blues have won just two of their past 23 games but have stuck firm to their strategy of drafting young talent in the past three seasons and put in an improved performance against Collingwood on Sunday. They re-signed star forward Charlie Curnow last week, locking him in until the end of 2023 and remain confident gun midfielder and captain-in-waiting Patrick Cripps will also extend soon. They remain in negotiations to retain skipper Marc Murphy, who is a free agent.

Public in their desire to land a free agent at the end of this season they have an open mind to trading their first pick for a player or more picks. McKay was a candidate for the AFL football operations position that was filled by Steve Hocking in October and is a respected administrator as well as a qualified vet. The Blues lost Sam Power from their recruiting department before Christmas when he joined the Western Bulldogs and appointed Cain Liddle as CEO after the departure of Steven Trigg last year. Liddle praised McKay for his contribution to the club since his arrival back in 1993. "In my short time at Carlton, I have been lucky enough to see firsthand the great impact Macca has had on the club through his tireless work ethic, his strong relationships and his passion for Carlton. He is a Carlton person through and through," Liddle said.