GWS, Essendon pay respects to former Giant Cam McCarthy

Jesse Hogan, who played alongside Cam McCarthy with the Dockers, has made his own tribute after the forward’s shock death.

Callan Ward was celebrating a major milestone, but there was a sombre mood at Marvel Stadium on Saturday as the GWS Giants paid their respects to Cam McCarthy.

The former AFL key forward, who was selected by the Giants with pick 14 in the 2013 Draft, tragically passed away in Perth on Thursday.

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The West Australian played two seasons in Sydney before eventually being traded to Fremantle, with the Dockers and Sydney Swans honouring McCarthy in an emotional ceremony before Friday night’s clash at Optus Stadium.

The Giants and Bombers made another tribute to McCarthy on Saturday, prior to Essendon’s 12.10 (82) to 9.8 (62) victory.

Players from both teams and the umpires lined up in the middle of the ground as an image was shown on the big screen of the former GWS standout smiling alongside ex-coach Leon Cameron.

Some of the GWS players appeared emotional as the tribute played out.

Tributes to Cam McCarthy on Saturday night. Photos: Fox Sports

“So before the bounce we’re going to see both sides line up, a tragic day yesterday as the news filtered through the football world that a former teammate of Cal Ward and the Giants, Cam McCarthy, at the age of 29 had passed away,” commentator Anthony Hudson said on Fox Footy.

“We saw touching scenes in Perth last night from the Fremantle Dockers, where he played 49 games.

“His first two seasons were at the Giants, (where he played) 21 games, he was part of the forward line and now both sides are going to pay their respects.”

As the ceremony got underway, on the day GWS stalwart Ward was bringing up his 300th AFL game, the stadium announcer said: “Footy fans we ask, if you are able, please be upstanding as both teams will take a moment to remember Cameron McCarthy, who passed away this week.

“Cameron will be remembered this week for his love of family, his teammates and footy.

Players from both teams pay respects to Cameron McCarthy. Photo: Fox Sports

“And on behalf of the AFL, the GWS Giants and the Essendon Football Club, we extend our deepest condolences to those who knew him.

“Vale Cam.”

Hudson then made another touching comment before the opening bounce.

“We share in passing on our condolences to his friends and family and those who loved Cam McCarthy, who was a very popular man amongst the Giants in his couple of seasons there,” he said.

“They nicknamed him “Sunshine” in his early days as he buzzed around in the forward line with Jeremy Cameron.”

Jesse Hogan's personal tribute to McCarthy. Photos: Fox Sports

It all made for a quiet, respectful mood around the ground before the game got started.

All players were wearing black armbands in the match and Jesse Hogan, who played alongside McCarthy during their time with the Dockers, made his own tribute after kicking a goal in the first quarter.

Hogan looked down at the black band on his left arm and tapped it with his hand before he was surrounded by teammates.

“Also a former teammate of Cam McCarthy there with the black armband from their time together at Fremantle,” Hudson said of Hogan’s moment.

“So that meant something pretty special to him.”

Originally published as GWS, Essendon pay respects to former Giant Cam McCarthy