Tom McCarthy (footballer)
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| Tom McCarthy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Tom McCarthy looking on during 2026 round 3 clash against Port Adelaide | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Thomas McCarthy[1] | ||
| Nickname | T-Mac[2] | ||
| Born | 12 July 2000 | ||
| Original team | Dingley (SFNL)/Richmond (VFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 1, 2025 mid-season rookie draft | ||
| Height | 187 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | West Coast | ||
| Number | 18 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2025– | West Coast | 17 (0) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 7, 2026. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Tom McCarthy (born 12 July 2000) is an Australian rules footballer who currently plays for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL).[3]
McCarthy grew up supporting Melbourne and idolised Jayden Hunt (who later became his teammate at West Coast).[4] He played junior football with the Cheltenham Panthers in the South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL).[5][6]
After leaving Cheltenham, McCarthy joined Old Mentonians in the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) under-19s competition in 2018, playing two senior matches during the season.[7][8] He played a further twelve senior games in 2019, and – following the cancellation of the 2020 season – McCarthy continued to play at the senior level, kicking ten goals in eleven senior games during the curtailed 2021 season.[9]
McCarthy won the Old Mentonians senior best and fairest award in 2022.[10] He left the club – which went into recess several months later – and joined Highett in the Southern Football Netball League (SFNL).[11] He came second in Highett's best and fairest count for the 2023 season by 1 vote.[12]
In 2024, McCarthy joined Richmond in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[13] He made his VFL debut against Coburg in round 6.[14][15] At the end of the 2024 SFNL season, McCarthy left Highett to join Dingley.[16][17] He also played one game for Banks in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Premier Division reserves competition in October 2024, earning a best on ground nomination.[18][19]
In addition to football, McCarthy played for the Cheltenham Park Cricket Club in the South East Cricket Association (SECA).[20]
AFL career
In May 2025, it was reported that McCarthy would be signed by West Coast in the 2025 AFL mid-season rookie draft.[21][22] After playing against North Melbourne, McCarthy was rested by Richmond for the following match to avoid the possibility of an injury in the VFL prior to the draft.[23][24]
McCarthy was selected by West Coast as the number-one pick in the mid-season rookie draft on 28 May 2025.[25][26] He played two games for the club's reserves team in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) before being named for his AFL debut in round 14 against Carlton at Optus Stadium.[27] McCarthy starred in his first AFL game with 31 disposals in a 34-point defeat, recording the most disposals of any West Coast player in the 2025 season and the most by a West Coast player on debut ever.[28][29]
