AFL world rocked by tragic death of Cam McCarthy at 29 as tributes flow for former star
McCarthy played 70 games and kicked 99 goals during a seven-year stint in the AFL.
The AFL world has been left shocked and saddened by the news former Fremantle Dockers and GWS Giants forward Cam McCarthy has died at the age of 29. It's understood paramedics were called to a Lake Coogee address in Perth’s south just after 6pm on Thursday night, where they found McCarthy unresponsive. His death is not being treated a suspicious.
The former Dockers and Giants star kicked 99 goals across a seven-year career for both clubs, and played 70 games in the AFL after being taken by GWS with pick 14 in the 2013 draft. McCarthy only managed one game in his debut season for the Giants but enjoyed a breakout season in 2015 that saw him kick 35 goals from 20 games.
Despite being contracted with GWS until the 2017 season, the West Australian requested a trade to return to his home state in 2016 but the move was blocked by the Giants at the time. McCarthy eventually took an indefinite break from the game due to mental health reasons and moved back to WA in 2016 but did not feature in the AFL at all that season.
GWS eventually agreed grant McCarthy his trade request and he moved to Fremantle for the 2017 season. He went on to feature in 49 AFL games across four seasons and booted 63 goals for Fremantle across that period. McCarthy's first two seasons saw him become a regular starter in the Docker side, but he only played 12 games in his third season and then just one in 2020 before quitting mid-season.
Fremantle said at the time that McCathy and the club had come to a mutual agreement to end his time at the club and he went on to feature for South Fremantle in the WAFL. However, the towering former forward's stay at South Fremantle did not last long and he walked out on the club after an underwhelming display in the first game of the 2021 season.
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News of McCarthy's death comes as another tragic blow to the Fremantle club, with the 29-year-old becoming the third former Dockers star to die before the age of 30, in the past six years. Harley Balic died in 2022 and was a teammate of McCarthy’s in 2017, while Shane Yarran passed away in 2018.
The devastating development will leave a sombre cloud over Fremantle's home game against the Sydney Swans at Optus Stadium on Friday night. Several former teammates of McCarthy's such as Alex Pearce, Michael Walters and duel Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe are set to feature in the match and emotions will be high.
Tributes flow after tragic death of Cam McCarthy
AFL reporter Tom Morris has confirmed players will wear black armbands in tribute for the former Fremantle player at Optus Stadium on Friday night, as the AFL world mourns the 29-year-old's passing. Tributes have been pouring in across social media as fans and former players come to terms with the shock tragedy.
Former Giant and Docker, Cam McCarthy, has passed away aged 29.https://t.co/BM6eAKjDCW pic.twitter.com/GLvYKkBr51
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 10, 2024
Extremely sad news …
Former Fremantle & GWS player, Cam McCarthy has died at the age of just 29
Thoughts with his family, friends and former teammates 🙏— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) May 10, 2024
Cam McCarthy was one of the most endearing and thoughtful kids I dealt with during my time covering the WA footy pathways. This is just horrible.
Thoughts are with his family and friends.— Nick Rynne (@NickRynne) May 10, 2024
Terrible news out of Perth. Can confirm the West’s report that former @GWSGIANTS & @freodockers forward Cam McCarthy passed away yesterday, aged 29.
The Dockers are planning to wear black armbands tonight as a tribute to McCarthy, who led their goal-kicking in 2017.
McCarthy…— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) May 10, 2024
Awful, sad news regarding former @freodockers forward Cam McCarthy.
Just 29, now gone.
Fremantle working through situation with its players and staff now.@7NewsPerth— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) May 10, 2024
Former Fremantle & GWS forward Cam McCarthy has tragically passed aged 29. Our thoughts are with his friends & family 💕 pic.twitter.com/gb0N7wp597
— Triple M Footy (@triplemfooty) May 10, 2024
Awful news about Cam McCarthy.
Had a great season in 2015 for the Giants with 35 goals in 20 games before heading back to Perth with the Dockers.
Thinking of his family, friends and all of the teammates who played with him at this tough time.
He was only 29, gone far too soon.— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) May 10, 2024
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