Cam McCarthy’s family break their silence after footy star’s tragic death aged just 29 threw the AFL world into deep shock
Cam McCarthy’s family have paid a heartbreaking tribute to the Fremantle and GWS footy star following his death last week at the age of just 29.
McCarthy, who started his AFL career with the Giants before moving to his hometown team at the Dockers from 2017 to 2020, was found by police and paramedics on May 9 when they were called to a property in Perth’s south.
His loved ones posted the tribute on Thursday, writing: ‘Our beautiful son and brother, Cameron. With pain in our hearts we had to say goodbye for the time being.
‘There is a huge hole in our lives now. It will never be the same without you.
“Through the ups and downs, we all rode with you, and you knew we loved you so much.
The family of Cam McCarthy (pictured playing for Fremantle) have written a tearful tribute to him following his tragic death last Thursday
The 29-year-old (pictured with then-girlfriend Grace Collopy) played a total of 70 AFL games in a six-year career that also saw him play for the GWS Giants
“You lit up every room with that beautiful smile, and we will cherish our memories with you forever.
‘Until we meet again. Rest in peace. I love you always, Dad, Mom, Jessica, Hannah, Drew, Ryan, Poppy.”
The gesture comes after McCarthy’s childhood friend and fellow football star Tom Barrass paid an emotional tribute to him on Wednesday.
“Last week this earth lost a beautiful man named Cameron McCarthy. A man who wasn’t concerned about money or power, but about creativity and experience,” wrote West Coast Eagles star Barrass.
“A man who approached all things with energy and excitement, as if he were viewing them for the first time,” he posted.
‘A man whose presence will be sorely missed, but whose vision and opinions can be heard at any time if we are willing to listen.
Fremantle players including Nat Fyfe (left) and Alex Pearce (right) struggled to hold back tears as they paid tribute to their partner the day after his death
“Enjoy the journey and lean into it. Trust your intuition and have conviction because that is all you have in the end.”
McCarthy’s death saw his Dockers teammates fight back tears as they marked his passing in emotional scenes just before their match against the Swans last Friday night.
The Fremantle-born star’s battle with mental health issues was well documented during his AFL career, which spanned from 2014 to 2020.
McCarthy was drafted by the Giants with the No. 14 pick in 2013 and scored one game in his debut season.
He played a total of 49 games for the Fremantle Dockers and 21 games for GWS, after being called up from South Fremantle.
McCarthy (right) is pictured with his childhood friend and fellow AFL star Tom Barrass, who remembered him in an emotional Instagram post
The talented striker has struggled with mental health issues throughout his career
Headlines followed when he left the Giants at the end of the 2015 season, opting to serve out the final year of his contract before being traded to Fremantle.
McCarthy was granted an indefinite leave of absence from the Giants in January 2016 so he could be closer to his family while battling mental illness.
That came after he requested a trade to Fremantle during the 2015 trade period, which was denied by the Giants.
He had a breakthrough season that year, scoring 35 goals, but did not play a single match in 2016.
He scared the Dockers squad in 2020 when he collapsed during training and was taken to hospital.
The Fremantle-born star was later diagnosed with epilepsy and although he was medically cleared to play, his contract was not renewed by the club at the end of the 2020 season.
He returned to South Fremantle for two seasons in the WAFL, but would only play 10 more games in that time, unable to progress as he attempted to restart his stalled WAFL career in the reserves for South Fremantle in 2021.