Cam McCarthy’s family are breaking their silence after the football star’s tragic death, aged just 29, shocked the AFL world to its core.
Cam McCarthy’s family have paid a heartbreaking tribute to the Fremantle and GWS football star following his death last week aged just 29.
McCarthy, who began his AFL career with the Giants before joining his hometown team with the Dockers from 2017 to 2020, was found by police and paramedics when they were called to a property from South Perth on May 9.
His loved ones posted the tribute Thursday, writing: “Our beautiful son and brother, Cameron. It is with heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye for the moment.
“There is now a huge hole in our lives. 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 paid a heartbreaking 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 during a six-year career that also saw him turn out for the GWS Giants.
“You lit up every room with that beautiful smile and we will cherish our memories with you forever.
” Till we Meet Again. Rest in peace. Love you always, Dad, Mom, Jessica, Hannah, Drew, Ryan, Poppy.’
The gesture comes after McCarthy’s childhood friend and football star Tom Barrass paid a moving tribute to him on Wednesday.
“Last week this earth lost a beautiful man named Cameron McCarthy. A man who didn’t care about money or power, but rather creativity and experience,” wrote West Coast Eagles star Barrass.
“A man who approached all things with energy and enthusiasm, as if he were looking at them for the first time,” he posted.
“A man whose presence we will greatly miss, but whose views and opinions can be heard whenever we wish to listen.
Fremantle players, including Nat Fyfe (left) and Alex Pearce (right), struggled to hold back tears as they paid tribute to their mate the day after his death.
“Enjoy the journey and lean in. Trust your intuition and be convinced, because that’s all you really 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 has been well-documented throughout his AFL career, which spanned from 2014 to 2020.
McCarthy was drafted by the Giants with the No. 14 pick in 2013 and managed one game in his first season.
He played a total of 49 matches for the Fremantle Dockers and 21 matches for GWS, having been drafted from South Fremantle.
McCarthy (right) is pictured with his childhood friend and fellow AFL star Tom Barrass, who remembered him in a touching Instagram post.
The talented striker has endured mental health issues throughout his career
Headlines followed when he left the Giants at the end of the 2015 season, opting to sit 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 he battled a mental health issue.
This came after he requested a trade to Fremantle during the 2015 trade period, which was declined by the Giants.
He had a breakthrough season that year, scoring 35 goals, but did not play a single match in 2016.
He gave the Dockers team a scare in 2020 when he collapsed in 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 in the WAFL for two seasons, but played only 10 further matches during that time, and was unable to start when he attempted to revive his stalled WAFL career in the reserves. South Fremantle in 2021.
