The shattered teammates of footy player Cam McCarthy 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 honour of the AFL star who was found dead in Lake Coogee in Perth’s south around 6.15pm on Thursday.
McCarthy’s battle with mental health issues was well documented through 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 at the age of 29 in Perth under non-suspicious circumstances
McCarthy’s teammates Nat Fyfe and Alex Pearce were overcome with emotion during a tribute for the footy star on Friday night
A tribute and brief moment of silence was given to McCarthy, who played a total of 49 games for the Dockers and 21 games for the Greater Western Sydney Giants, ahead of the match on Friday night.
As a commentator shared a tribute to the player over a loudspeaker, McCarthy’s teammates Alex Pearce and Nat Fyfe were seen overwhelmed with emotion.
Fyfe dropped his head and appeared visibly upset while Pearce wiped away tears following 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 game to honour McCarthy who wore the No.23 jersey.
A tribute and brief moment of silence was given to McCarthy as players wore black armbands to honour the late footballer
Pearce, Fremantle’s captain, had encouraged the crowd to get up on their feet.
Fremantle Chief Executive Simon Garlick released a statement on Friday, saying: ‘On behalf of everyone at the Fremantle Football Club, we extend our deepest sympathies to Cam’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.
‘His death is tragic, and to all of his family, friends and teammates, we extend our deepest condolences.
‘Cam was a kind and easy-going person at the Club, and he was someone who had a habit of making people smile and laugh. His talent was undeniable and he loved his footy.
‘Our thoughts are with Cam’s family and his loved ones during this time.’
GWS have also issued a statement, reading: ‘The GIANTS are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Cam McCarthy. We extend our deepest sympathies to the entire McCarthy family.’
Cam McCarthy is seen with his girlfriend Grace Collopy
McCarthy was drafted by the Giants with pick No.14 in 2013 and managed one game in his debut season.
Headlines followed when he left the Giants at the end of the 2015 season, choosing to sit out the last year of his contract before being traded to Fremantle.
McCarthy was granted indefinite leave by the Giants in January 2016 so he could be closer to family while he battled a mental health condition.
McCarthy would go on to play another 49 games over four seasons with the Dockers, kicking 63 goals along the way.
He sent a scare through the Dockers squad in 2020 when he collapsed at 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 reignite his AFL career when he joined Nat Fyfe (left) and the Fremantle Dockers
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