Heartbroken teammates of AFL star Cam McCarthy fight back tears as he’s honoured ahead of a match between the Fremantle Dockers and Sydney Swans
Footballer Cam McCarthy’s shattered teammates have wiped away tears during an emotional tribute to the late 29-year-old at Optus Stadium.
Players from both the Fremantle Dockers and Sydney Swans wore black armbands in honor of the AFL star who was found dead in Lake Coogee in Perth’s south about 6.15pm on Thursday.
McCarthy’s battle with mental health issues was well documented during his AFL career, which spanned from 2014 to 2020.
Police said they are not treating his death as suspicious.
Former AFL star Cam McCarthy (pictured) has died in Perth aged 29 under unsuspicious circumstances
McCarthy’s teammates Nat Fyfe and Alex Pearce were overcome with emotion during a tribute to the footy star on Friday evening
A tribute and brief moment of silence was held for McCarthy, who played a total of 49 games for the Dockers and 21 games for the Greater Western Sydney Giants, ahead of Friday night’s match.
As a commentator shared a tribute to the player over a loudspeaker, McCarthy’s teammates Alex Pearce and Nat Fyfe were seen overcome with emotion.
Fyfe lowered his head and appeared visibly upset as Pearce wiped away tears after the tribute.
Both teams stood arm in arm as the crowd gave a round of applause for McCarthy.
Footy fans at Optus Stadium also stood and applauded during the 23rd minute of the match to honor McCarthy who wore the number 23 jersey.
A tribute and brief moment of silence was held for McCarthy as players wore black armbands in honor of the late footballer
Pearce, the Fremantle captain, had encouraged the crowd to rise.
Fremantle Chief Executive Simon Garlick issued a statement on Friday saying: “On behalf of everyone at Fremantle Football Club, we extend our deepest condolences to Cam’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.
“His death is tragic and we extend our deepest condolences to all his family, friends and teammates.
‘Cam was a nice and easy-going person at the Club, and he was someone who had a habit of making people laugh. His talent was undeniable and he loved his footy.
“Our thoughts are with Cam’s family and his loved ones at this time.”
GWS also released a statement, saying: “The GIANTS are deeply saddened by the passing of former player Cam McCarthy. We extend our deepest condolences to the entire McCarthy family.”
Cam McCarthy is seen with his girlfriend Grace Collopy
McCarthy was drafted by the Giants with the No. 14 pick in 2013 and scored one game in his debut season.
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.
McCarthy would play a further 49 games with the Dockers over four seasons, scoring 63 goals along the way.
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.
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The 29-year-old (right) was able to revive his AFL career when he joined Nat Fyfe (left) and the Fremantle Dockers