Shattered Fremantle players nearly withdrew from Friday night AFL clash with Sydney over teammate Cam McCarthy’s sudden death

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has revealed some players questioned their role in Friday night’s 48-point AFL loss to Sydney following the sudden death of former Docker Cam McCarthy.

McCarthy died on Thursday evening aged 29, leaving Fremantle players shocked when the news broke on Friday morning.

A tribute to McCarthy was held before Friday night’s match, with veterans including Nat Fyfe, Luke Ryan and Alex Pearce fighting back tears as they remembered their good friend.

After the match, Fyfe and Pearce laid flowers in the goal square to remember McCarthy, who played 49 games for the Dockers between 2017 and 2020 after starting his career at GWS.

In the hours leading up to the match, Fremantle made a change to their emergency list by adding key defender Hugh Davies in defensive cover.

Coach Justin Longmuir said some players were so emotional they almost pulled out of the AFL match against the Sydney Swans

Davies was ultimately not needed, but Longmuir revealed the move to add him to the emergency list was made due to the prospect of players withdrawing from the match following McCarthy’s death.

“We had players who were very close and didn’t play, so I’m proud of the way they went out and competed in difficult conditions,” Longmuir said after the 13.9 (87) to 4.15 (39) defeat .

“Some of our players have known Cam for a long time and continued those relationships after he played for us.

“(Football boss) Joe Brierty did a great job of going around people we knew were close to Cam, visiting those guys and making sure they felt safe to make a call about whether they wanted to play or not.

“I’m really proud of the way the club came together, put our arms around those who are hurting and I was really proud of those players who went out and played the way they did.”

Nat Fyfe and McCarthy were close friends and his death hit the Dockers champion hard

A tribute to McCarthy was laid in the goal square before the match against the Swans

The Dockers took a beating on the field as they struggled to come to terms with their loss

Longmuir said it was important that the playing group remained united and connected as they mourned McCarthy’s passing.

“We have to make sure we do things together,” Longmuir said.

‘Make sure we keep checking in on each other, make sure the players who are affected have the different avenues they feel comfortable with and where they can go.

“This is why you play team sports… so that you can get through the tough times together and you have people to lean on, and that’s what trademark and connection is all about.”

“So we must remain faithful in these difficult moments.”

Friday night’s loss left Fremantle with a 5-4 record heading into next week’s match against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.

Longmuir expects ruckman Sean Darcy (tight calf) to return against the Saints.

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