Footballer Cam McCarthy’s devastated teammates wiped away tears during an emotional tribute to the late 29-year-old at Optus Stadium.
Fremantle Dockers and Sydney Swans players wore black armbands in honor of the AFL star who was found dead in Lake Coogee, south of Perth, about 6.15pm on Thursday.
McCarthy’s battle with mental health issues was well documented throughout 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 aged 29 in Perth under non-suspicious circumstances.
McCarthy’s teammates Nat Fyfe and Alex Pearce were overcome with emotion during a tribute to the football star on Friday night.
Tributes and a brief moment of silence were paid to McCarthy, who played a total of 49 games for the Dockers and 21 games for the Greater Western Sydney Giants, before Friday night’s game.
As a commentator shared a tribute to the player over a loudspeaker, McCarthy’s teammates Alex Pearce and Nat Fyfe were overcome with emotion.
Fyfe hung his head and looked visibly upset as Pearce wiped away tears after the tribute.
Both teams were arm in arm as the crowd applauded McCarthy.
Football fans at Optus Stadium also stood and applauded during the 23rd minute of the game to honor McCarthy, who wore the number 23 shirt.
Tributes were paid to McCarthy and a brief moment of silence was observed while the players wore black armbands in honor of the late footballer.
Pearce, the Fremantle captain, had encouraged the crowd to stand.
Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick issued a statement on Friday saying: “On behalf of everyone at Fremantle Football Club, we extend our deepest condolences to Cam’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.
“His death is tragic and to all his family, friends and teammates, we extend our deepest condolences.
‘Cam was a kind and easy-going person at the Club, and had a habit of making people smile and laugh. His talent was undeniable and he loved his football.
“Our thoughts are with Cam’s family and loved ones during this time.”
GWS also released a statement saying: “The GIANTS are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Cam McCarthy. We extend our deepest condolences to the entire McCarthy family.”
Cam McCarthy is seen with his girlfriend Grace Collopy
McCarthy was selected by the Giants with the 14th pick in 2013 and coached one game in his debut season.
The headlines followed when he left the Giants at the end of the 2015 season, choosing to sit out the final year of his contract before being transferred to Fremantle.
The Giants granted McCarthy an indefinite leave of absence in January 2016 so he could be closer to his family while battling a mental health condition.
McCarthy would play a further 49 games over four seasons with the Dockers, scoring 63 goals along the way.
In 2020, he gave the Dockers team a scare 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, the club did not renew his contract 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.
