‘Close to not playing’: Huge toll of ex-Docker’s tragic death revealed amid emotional scenes

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has revealed he had players “close” to sitting out the loss to Sydney following the tragic death of Cam McCarthy.

Fremantle players paid tribute to late teammate Cam McCarthy.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has revealed he had players “close” to sitting out Friday night’s loss to Sydney following the tragic death of former teammate Cam McCarthy.

McCarthy, a former Docker and Giant who played 70 AFL games, was sadly found unresponsive on Thursday night and could not be revived.

Just 24 hours later, former teammates of McCarthy took to the field wearing black armbands and held a moment’s silence that left some players including skipper Alex Pearce and Nat Fyfe fighting back tears pre-game.

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The emotion was still clear to see after full time, with Pearce and Fyfe heading to the goal square to lay flowers in another touching tribute.

Speaking after the match, Longmuir said it had been a “really tough 24 hours”.

“Some of our players have done it tough,” he said.

“I was really proud of the way they were able to go out and compete tonight given the difficulties of the last 24 hours.

“Some of our players have known Cam for a long period of time and continued those relationships post him playing for us.

A beautiful tribute from Alex Pearce and Nat Fyfe for the late Cam McCarthy 💜

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“(I’m) really proud of the way the club came together, put their arms around those who were hurting.

“Joe Brierty (Dockers’ footy boss) did a great job getting around those we knew were close to Cam, visiting those guys and making sure that they felt safe to make the call whether they felt safe to play or not.

“We had players that were close to not playing.”

Longmuir confirmed the club’s late change in emergencies, where Ethan Hughes was replaced by Hugh Dixon and approved by the AFL, was as a result of concern over players not taking the field.

But the Fremantle coach said he didn’t ever consider the game being postponed as a result of McCarthy’s shock passing.

“It’s not really something I’ve thought about,” he said.

“It wasn’t a conversation that came across my desk anyway. (I’m) just proud of the players that were affected.”

Players pay tribute to the late Cam McCarthy 💜

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The crowd honour former player Cam McCarthy by standing and applauding at the 23rd minute of the first quarter. Picture: Getty Images

Swans coach John Longmire paid tribute to McCarthy before taking any questions in his press conference on Friday night, acknowledging how “heartbroken” those who knew the forward would be.

“You go to the connection those Freo guys would have had with him - spoke to (former Docker, now Swan) Joel Hamling today, we talked about his family. It’s a shock for everyone,” Longmire said.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen from there.

“I knew there’d be a lot of heartache and in the change room next door would be feeling it.

“Justin and that footy club, we pass on their thoughts.”

Longmuir refused to blame Friday night’s 48-point loss to Sydney on the emotional build up - in a clash where at one stage the Swans had 10.0 (60) to Fremantle’s 1.9 (15).

Flowers are laid for Cam McCarthy by Nat Fyfe and Alex Pearce. Picture: Getty Images

“You look at three-quarter-time - the stats and we were up in contested ball, were up in inside 50s, we turned the ball over in our front half, more shots from stoppage, equal shots from turnover … if you had of given me that at the start of the night I would have taken it,” he said.

“They were just able to cash in a bit better.

“Sometimes we got the goal goggles on and tried to have a shot that maybe wasn’t on and we had someone in a better position.”

Longmuir said the focus now shifted to ensuring his players had the right support in place moving forward.

“We make sure we do things together, make sure we check in on each other,” he said.

“We can go through the tough times together and you’ve got people to lean on.”

Originally published as ‘Close to not playing’: Huge toll of ex-Docker’s tragic death revealed amid emotional scenes