This was published 7 years ago
AFL season 2016: GWS' Cameron McCarthy now a teacher's aide in Fremantle
By Daniel Cherny
All but ruled out of competitive football for the season, wantaway Greater Western Sydney forward Cameron McCarthy has been occupying himself as a teacher's aide in Western Australia.
The goalkicking tall has been on indefinite leave from the Giants as he deals with homesickness and related issues, having unsuccessfully sought a trade to the Dockers at the end of last season, despite being contracted to the expansion club at the end of 2017.
Cameron McCarthy is unlikely to return to the Giants. Credit: Getty Images
His manager Colin Young said at the time his client would be seeking a trade in the 2016 exchange period.
Back with his family and social network in WA, McCarthy trained with WAFL club South Fremantle in April but was warned by the AFL for not having sought the Giants' permission to do so. He was also denied a clearance to become South Fremantle's runner.
Having worked this year as an electrician's assistant, he has also been spending time as a teacher's aide at a Fremantle school.
McCarthy, 21, was taken at pick 14 in the 2013 draft. After playing one game in 2014, he played 20 last season, briefly emerging as one of the competition's most promising young key forwards.
But after a troubled off-season McCarthy was granted time away from the club and he returned to the West Australian port. It appears unlikely he will return to the Giants.
While the Dockers have been the frontrunner for McCarthy's services in 2017 given their attempt to lure him last season, West Coast have also expressed interest in the 192-centimetre goalkicker. The Giants would be keen to create a bidding war between the West Australian clubs in order to maximise their return for the big man.
While GWS said on Thursday there was no change to their situation with respect to McCarthy, coach Leon Cameron said earlier this month that his return was improbable.
The Dockers have already missed out on Essendon swingman Cale Hooker, who has re-signed with the Bombers. They remain linked to Melbourne's West Australian spearhead Jesse Hogan, who is contracted to the Demons until the end of next year and earlier this year put off contract talks until the end of the 2016 season.