Cam McCarthy death: Ex-Fremantle and GWS star dead at 29

Kieran Francis

Cam McCarthy death: Ex-Fremantle and GWS star dead at 29 image

Former Fremantle and GWS star Cam McCarthy has been found dead, aged 29.

The forward was found unresponsive by paramedics in southern Perth suburb Lake Coogee on Thursday night at 6pm local time.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Cameron McCarthy AFL career

McCarthy played 70 AFL games and kicked 99 goals between 2014 and 2020 for the Giants and Dockers.

Originally from WA, he was selected by GWS with pick 14 in the 2013 AFL Draft and played his debut game in 2014.

As a 20-year-old in 2015, McCarthy kicked 35 goals in 20 games for the Giants before requesting a trade home to Fremantle for the 2016 season.

The Giants rejected the move and McCarthy sat out the entirety of the 2016 season before joining the Dockers in 2017.

McCarthy was the Dockers leading goalkicker in 2017 with 25 goals.

He was delisted by Fremantle in 2020 after only playing one senior game that season.

Fremantle player tragedies

McCarthy is the fourth former Fremantle player to pass away in recent years.

Colin Sylvia, who played at the Dockers in 2014, died in 2018, while Shane Yarran, a 2016 Fremantle player, passed away the same year.

Harley Balic, who played with McCarthy in 2017, also died in 2022.

GWS statement

“We are saddened to learn of Cam’s passing. The news has had a profound impact on many current and former Giants players and staff,” GWS chief executive officer David Matthews said via a statement.

“Cam had great energy and was a much-loved member of our club for the seasons he was here. He was very popular and a bright footballing talent.

“On behalf of the Giants, we extend our deepest sympathies to the entire McCarthy family and his many friends.”

Lifeline: 13 11 14 

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.