When Cam McCarthy joined Fremantle at the second time of asking during the 2016 AFL Trade Period, many tipped the then 21-year-old for a stellar career in the purple haze.
But it’s fair to say that things haven’t gone to play for the former Greater Western Sydney Giant after he returned to his home state.
In his 36 games to date for Ross Lyon’s side, McCarthy has kicked 44 goals with 19 of those coming from 17 AFL games last season.
During that period, McCarthy has found himself at WAFL level on several occasions with his form at the top level well below his potential.
Despite having any evidence just yet, the 2018 AFL Trade Period may be the point of McCarthy’s career where it all turned around in his home state.
It has all come about after Fremantle enjoyed an aggressive trade period in which they welcomed Travis Colyer, Reece Conca, Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb, although they did lose Lachie Neale to Brisbane.
While the acquisitions of Colyer and Conca are more than respectable for the Dockers, it’s the capture of Hogan and Lobb which could have the biggest impact on McCarthy.
During his time with the club, McCarthy has often been tasked with facing the opposition’s best key defender – as he has been established as the focal point of the Dockers’ forward line with Matt Taberner not developing as well as those at the club would have liked.
Despite his struggles since returning to Western Australia, the positive is that McCarthy still has time on his side to turn it all around at just 23 years of age.
Hogan is a proven goalkicker having kicked over 40 goals in three of the four seasons in which he has featured at the top level, while Lobb has always threatened to become one of the game’s best forwards at any moment.
With that in mind, we should expect to see Hogan get the opposition side’s best defender while it would be expected that Rory Lobb gets the next best when he is playing forward.
Given Lobb’s ability to operate as a ruckman, Lyon may choose to use him as the primary ruckman against some clubs, but it’s expected veteran Aaron Sandilands and Sean Darcy will take most of the ruck contests on matchday.
If Lobb spends most of his time forward as expected, he gives the Dockers a target with a reach which will become almost impossible to defend against when at his peak.
Away from the new forward duo, McCarthy can now expect to often be tasked with the opposition’s third best defender and this should give him the ability to make a bigger impact in matches.
Without disrespecting any individual, the third defender in any football side isn’t often tasked with stopping someone as dangerous as McCarthy.
Given that opportunity, the former Giant may well get back to his best in 2019 and demonstrate exactly why Fremantle were happy to give up their third pick for the forward.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I think the article is right but the other side of the coin is that Cam no longer has any excuses. I think there will be a number of Dockers whose performance will lift now there are a couple of specialist and experienced forward marking options to go to and to take the defenders heat. It will be interesting.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Never lose your optimism Don. Personally I'd be happy with a couple of finals at this point.......
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Do you still not know that Hagdorn was wrong? You actually must not be able to read. You can watch him on The West website, The Roar, AFL.com...anywhere. Hagdorn was wrong...absolutely, completely, incontestably. So are you...again. Oh dear. People can read what you say...and giggle.
Tania
Guest
The other factor everyone seems to be missing is that Lach's bestie Lincoln McCarthy also got himself traded to Brisbane. They played all of their junior/state footy together until they both got drafted.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Don you are the only one that did not believe when Hagdorn broke the news that Neale was not happy at Freo and had requested a trade to Brisbane some 8 weeks ago. Steve Rosich confirmed on radio that this WAS the case and he said that they would match any offer. You continued to hold your head in the sand and right up to the day kept saying he loved Freo and everyone and he will not be going because he is so in love with Freo. You have been proven wrong again and have tried to backtrack. Regardless of why he is gone, he has gone and IMO his loss will be more than covered so not much point in going on with it. But i guess that's not your style.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Jonboy? You are responding to other posts. Are you pretending you haven't read this one? 13th Man? help him out.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The other reasons are obviously positive reasons. I suppose that has never occurred to someone with as negative mindset as yours. Security, financial advantage, a new adventure for newlyweds...maybe business opportunities (a la Chris Judd). Do you intend to recant all your 'certainties' that he and Ross were in conflict? Or he couldn't hack other players? "I have no reason to leave." He has been clear that Ross was the most positively influential person in his time at Freo. The young blokes who have re-signed all say the same as do the leaders like Sandi, Mundy, Ballas and Fyfey. I wonder where you'll go with all that has been clarified in these past few days.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Good call Downsy, Neale did say there "were other reasons'' for him leaving but did not indulge in them, and like Kane said Lachie is not going to bag anyone, but if he was happy he would have stayed, but he is moving on which was reported 6-8 weeks ago and has proved right. Personally i think it has opened the door for Freo going forward.Neale will captain the Lion's one day.
Downsey
Roar Pro
Whoops, did I mangle that phrase? I meant that his comments went far enough for me to view them as genuine and not just put on for the cameras.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Put a good face on?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I find it interesting from a myth-busting perspective. There were a few regular Freo posters on here who, to counter the evidence that there wasn't a rift, were claiming to have inside sources that there was definitely a breakdown between Lyon and Neale. But I've no doubt that for them and others it'll be case of not ruining a story for the facts, so it's worthwhile to keep it up and going for a while to see if there's any chance of breaking through those blinkers.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The Ross era has been great. Regular final for 5 years and then, in the injury era, just a magnificent, clever and efficient rebuild. Love the past, love the now, love our future.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Not familiar with that princess, Paul. Just because he is a Brisbane player doesn't mean I should no longer admire him or clarify the errors of those who call him a liar.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Given Freo's history I'm not surprised you're a future focused individual Don. I wouldn't want to spend too much time considering the recent past either.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Lachie Neale plays for Brisbane now Don. He's not coming back. let it go as the princess sang in frozen, let it go
Downsey
Roar Pro
Don will question whether I qualify as a Freo 'fan', but some of us wondered whether there was a breakdown in the relationship between Neale and Lyon, or with other players. I certainly suspected there had been. But then I listened to Neale's Doig Medal speech and read his post-trade interview and I don't think that's the case any longer. I think Neale simply saw better opportunities for leadership growth at the Lions and was glamoured by the air of excitement there. It's easy to attribute Neale's positive comments to 'spin' but he did make a few points that I thought went above and beyond simply putting a good face on.
Downsey
Roar Pro
People don't have to engage. I value the comments section here, except when squabbling gets personal and then it's easy enough to skip ahead.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
So that argument is saying that he was so unhappy he wouldn't go back to his home state. What a strange response that would be.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I suspect you might be using me as your muse. Every comment you make references me. At least you'll be able to understand things more if you pay attention to me.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The comment to Kane applies to you too. Freo fans have always known the closeness between Ross and Lachie. You can reject what he said but he said it again on SEN with Turfie and KB.