All the mid-season draft news as West Coast closes in on Tom McCarthy

The No.1 pick in the mid-season draft looks locked in but what is your club thinking? Jon Ralph and Paul Amy have the latest news on how the night could play out.

Even Tom McCarthy cannot believe his “impossible” rise from football oblivion to No. 1 mid-season draft pick.

Two years ago he was playing division two football in the Southern League for Highett.

Six months ago he was still stacking shelves with yoghurt, milk, cream and ham as the assistant manager of a Woolworths dairy section.

On Wednesday the attacking half back flanker from Richmond’s VFL side is certain to be taken with the first pick in the mid-season draft.

On Sunday, having been rested to ensure he dodged injury in Richmond’s weekend VFL clash, he watched West Coast’s loss to Adelaide aware he will be a teammate of Harley Reid and Oscar Allen within days.

Tom McCarthy is all but certain to be the No. 1 pick. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

It is understood the Eagles have already told him he will become a West Coast player this week.

His former Richmond VGL teammate, 198cm VFL forward Archer May, who is playing with Subiaco in the WAFL this year, has strong interest from Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon.

One of those clubs has told him to consider an 18-month contract demand instead of the minimum six months.

His mother, Julie, is the long-time partner of AFL great Dermott Brereton, who has quietly mentored the former Sandringham Dragon.

Hard-running defender McCarthy, 24, chose his words carefully on Sunday but is West Coast-bound.

“It is super exciting and it’s a place I never thought I would end up in,” he told the Herald Sun.

“It is a funny place where I have come from. Working at Woolies as a local footballer, I thought that was where my life was heading. Not much happening in my life. I worked there for seven years and enjoyed it. I was a dairy manager there. Stocking all the refrigerated products. All the eggs and milks and yoghurts and hams and managing staff and helping my manager assist with rosters and stock load.

“Two years ago (playing AFL) was an impossible thing. You don’t even think about AFL football. You think maybe you could get to the VFL. I would have laughed if someone said, ‘You are a chance for an AFL list’. I was playing division two football in the Southern footy league and wasn’t even the best player in that league.”

The former Old Mentone premiership player worked on his craft – not the cheese variety in the dairy section – and joined Richmond’s VFL side last year. He’s seen the pipeline of players elevated to senior lists including Tylar Young, Mykelti Lefau and James Trezise.

McCarthy, who moved into a full-time marketing job at the start of the year, is optimistic about heading west after his discussions with Eagles list boss Matthew Clarke, the former Tigers recruiter.

West Coast List Manager Matthew Clarke. Picture: Getty Images

“I have had a couple of chats to Matty Clarke and he’s sounding pretty positive about where it’s going to go. Hopefully when the time comes they are going to pick me,” he said.

“I watched (West Coast-Adelaide) closely and if I did get my name called out by them on Wednesday it would be an honour so I am getting familiar with the club just in case it happens.”

“I am super ready and confident I could be ready to even play this year at AFL level due to my fitness levels. I am really confident in my fitness and skills. It will take time to adjust to a full time football environment but if I get to a club I will be ready and I will let that be known.”

MORE MID-SEASON DRAFT NEWS

•Subiaco forward May has kicked 12 goals in six games and was told by the Pies he didn’t need to play this weekend given their hopes of securing him.

•Essendon has four selections and will meet on Monday to consider key back and ruck options.

With plenty of early picks in the 2025 national draft, the Dons are keen on at least two ready-made prospects but are interested in Claremont ruckman Ollie Eastland over Southport’s Brayden Crossley.

Brayden Crossley. Picture: Getty Images

Clubs are worried about Crossley’s capacity to cover the ground at AFL level after he trialled with the Dogs in the pre-season.

East Fremantle’s Lachlan Blakiston is another consideration and other clubs believe the Dons are keen on Werribee bolter Ryan Eyers, a 199cm defender from Corowa-Rutherglen.

•Richmond does not have a pick in the mid-season draft.

•North Melbourne has the second selection given it will move Miller Bergman to the inactive list after an ACL tear and has its pick of the young talent.

Players available include Geelong VFL player Charlie McCartin, ex-Cat Brandan Parfitt, and former Cat and Pie Nathan Kreuger.

Flynn Young, 22, is another Werribee player attracting late interest.

The speedy left-footer from Barwon Heads came to prominence last year when he played in the Bees’ premiership.

This season he’s kicked 12 goals and averaged 15 disposals from eight matches.

“He’s certainly got AFL traits,’’ Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna told this masthead.

“He has high running capacity and high aerobic capacity, he defends up the ground and closer to goal, he’s quick of mind and he kicks the ball well.

“I remember him playing a practice match for us across half-back and he had 20 touches in a half. That’s always been in the back of my mind from a ball-user point of view. That’s another part of his game that hasn’t been fully exposed. He’s really blossomed in the past 18 months.”