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The AFL is liaising with authorities and Port Adelaide as investigations continue in the United States following the shock death of John McCarthy.
League chief executive Andrew Demetriou has expressed his condolences to McCarthy’s family and friends, as well as Port Adelaide and Collingwood.
Asked about his immediate reaction to the news on Monday, Demetriou replied: “just complete and utter shock and deep sadness”.
Demetriou said he could not comment on the circumstances surrounding McCarthy’s death as American authorities investigate what happened in Las Vegas.
“We have some liaison going on through the Victorian Police, we’ve been in discussions with the Federal Police,” Demetriou said.
“We have our inquiries going, but make no mistake, we’re in close contact with Port Adelaide.”
Demetriou added the league would provided whatever support it could to McCarthy’s family and said the AFL Players Association would offer counselling to his teammates.
“The news today of John McCarthy’s death overseas is shocking and very sad,” he said.
“This is a profound tragedy for John’s parents Shane and Cath, his partner Dani, his brothers and sisters and rest of his extended family.
“It’s also terribly sad for John’s many friends and his teammates and Port Adelaide and its supporters.
“Of course, it’s also sad for Collingwood.”
The AFL boss noted that the 22-year-old played 21 out of a possible 22 games this season after moving to the Power from Collingwood.
“From a football perspective, and that’s only how I can speak … he was a very capable footballer who was in the early part of his career.
“He was on an upward path, he performed admirably this year – 21 out of 22 games is no mean feat.
“By all accounts, his career was at the early stages of taking off.
“To lose a young man at the age of 22 who was in the prime of his life is tragic.”
Demetriou said the football community was tight-knit and the news of McCarthy’s death would have hit many people.
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