Cam McCarthy will be traded but GWS Giants determined to get best offer possible

GREATER Western Sydney says it would be happy to trade Cam McCarthy to West Coast if it offered a superior deal to Fremantle.

Cam McCarthy in action for GWS Giants last season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

GREATER Western Sydney says it would be happy to trade Cam McCarthy to West Coast if it offered a superior deal to Fremantle.

West Australian McCarthy is contracted to the Giants until the end of next year, and intent on being traded to the Dockers after last year’s aborted deal.

He is working part-time while training with South Fremantle, intent on resuming his career after a year where he has thrown off his anxiety issues.

He is hopeful the Giants will soon accept he will not return and work towards a commitment with the Dockers for next year.

But Giants football boss Wayne Campbell told the Herald Sun all options were still on the table for the 21-year-old, 192cm goalkicker.

“There are lots of outcomes still. One is Fremantle, one is West Coast, there are 15 other sides and he might stay at GWS for another year or for 10 more years,’’ he said.

Cam McCarthy training with South Fremantle earlier this year.

“Players don’t often not get to where they want to go to, it means the club is committed to them, but if the West Coast deal is a lot stronger, then so be it.

“When we get an outcome with Fremantle or West Coast or wherever else that satisfies them or us, he would be released. It wouldn’t be before that.”

West Coast has expressed some interest in the second-year budding star, but Fremantle sees him as a key part of its 2017 rebuild.

A forward line with McCarthy, Matt Taberner and attacking midfielder Nat Fyfe would see the club shooting up the ladder.

The Dockers have no second-round pick, but might be prepared to offer a future second-round pick or a swap of players to seal a deal.

South Fremantle’s training ground is the same oval used by the Dockers, so they have an intimate understanding of his progress.

Cam McCarthy flies for the mark but can't hang on. Picture: Colleen Petch

He was granted indefinite leave after being diagnosed with anxiety and depressive issues, but has made significant progress in recent months.

In his second year at GWS he kicked a remarkable 35.14 from 20 games before hitting rock bottom in the last few weeks of the year.

GWS coach Leon Cameron said last month he was losing hope McCarthy would return.

“It looks more and more unlikely (he’ll play for GWS),” he said.

“What is really pleasing though is he’s fit and healthy, healthy within himself and feeling good about himself. He’s doing a fair bit of work with (WAFL club) South Fremantle, which I think was a great choice for Cam and also the footy club to come up with that idea.

“Dealing with his management has been really good. We’re all on the same page and that’s to make Cam McCarthy feel good about himself and to play AFL footy.”