McCarthy built on his remarkable rise to AFL football with an impressive first full season at West Coast in 2026, playing 22 games and establishing himself as a consistent presence for the Eagles. The explosive defender averaged 22.6 disposals, using his line breaking pace, clean foot skills and willingness to take the game on to provide drive from the back half. His versatility and energy continued to stand out after joining West Coast as the No.1 selection in the 2025 Mid Season Rookie Draft. McCarthy’s journey has been anything but conventional, having played local football for Highett and worked in marketing just a year before making the leap to professional football. At a glance: Junior Club: Cheltenham Panthers Debut: Round 14, 2025. Recruited from: Richmond (VFL) Brownlow votes: 0.
