Former AFL Forward Cam McCarthy Passes Away, Aged 29

Former Fremantle and GWS forward Cam McCarthy has passed away, aged 29.

McCarthy was found unresponsive by paramedics at Lake Coogee in Perth’s south at around 6.15pm local time.

“About 6:15pm yesterday, Thursday 9 May 2024, emergency services were called to an address in Lake Coogee. Upon arrival, it was confirmed a 29-year-old male was deceased,” a WA police statement said.

“The death is being treated as non-suspicious.

“A report will be prepared for the coroner.”

McCarthy played 70 AFL games, kicking 99 goals in his seven-year career across the two clubs.

The GWS Giants drafted the foward with pick 14 in 2013, where he managed only one game in his debut season.

In 2015, he kicked 35 goals in 10 games before requesting a trade back to his home in Western Australia citing homesickness. He was however contracted with the Giants until 2017.

With the request denied, McCarthy did not play the entire 2016 season taking mental health leave and chose to move back to WA anyway.

During the 2016 trade period, he received his wish and found a new home at Fremantle.

In his first two years at the club he was a regular member of the team. In 2019 and 2020 he managed only 13 games before quitting AFL mid-2020.

Fremantle are planning on wearing black armbands in during their Friday night game against the Sydney Swans in honour of McCarthy.

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