Suspended Fremantle rookie Jason Carter has joined Cam McCarthy in walking out on the AFL club.
McCarthy was granted an early release from his contract after being advised he wouldn’t be offered a new deal for next year.
And Carter, who copped a five-match suspension for a recent drink-driving charge, also opted to leave after being told he wasn’t wanted for next year.
Carter played just two games for the Dockers, both last year.
“Following Jason’s five-game suspension, Jason and his management sought clarity around Jason’s likely contractual status for 2021,” Fremantle footy operations manager Peter Bell said.
“The club informed Jason and his management that Jason would not be offered a contract for 2021 and subsequently an early release from his 2020 playing contract was agreed to.
“In the meantime, the club will continue to provide ongoing welfare support for Jason, in conjunction with the AFL Players’ Association.”
McCarthy, the No.14 pick from the 2013 national draft, was considered a star on the rise after booting 35 goals in 20 games for Greater Western Sydney in 2015 as a 20-year-old.
(Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
The 194 centimetre West Australian sat out 2016 due to homesickness and he eventually joined his club of choice Fremantle at the end of that year.
However, McCarthy failed to fire at the Dockers, kicking 63 goals in 49 games across four seasons.
McCarthy played in Fremantle’s season opener this year as a wingman, but his career was put momentarily on hold when he collapsed at training in June.
He was later diagnosed with epilepsy and has been unable to force his way back into the senior side despite being given the green light to return.
McCarthy’s best chance of landing at a new club will be during the free agency period at the end of this year.
“We have been in discussions with Cam and his management about his future at Fremantle,” Dockers footy operations manager Peter Bell said.
“We believed it was only fair to advise Cam as soon as possible that it was unlikely that he would have his contract extended beyond the end of the 2020 season.
“On that basis, Cam and his management discussed the situation with his family, and subsequently informed the club that he would like to seek an early release from his contract, which was mutually agreed to by all parties.”
Minz
Guest
Carter's still got time to turn it around; we all make stupid decisions in our late teens/early 20s! Talented bloke. McCarthy I'm gutted for; feels like he didn't really get a proper run at it in Freo (through no fault of the club), and when he stuck together a good pre-season this year, he then got seizures. Just never really made it...
ScottD
Roar Guru
:laughing:
hayboy
Roar Rookie
I have an idea for the next article headline when Freo head to the QLD hub: entire Dockers team leave Perth altogether.
Marty
Roar Rookie
There’s definitely a spot for him somewhere, he’s got the talent. It’s whether another club will take the risk on a player who may be perceived as being a bit lazy. Who knows, being delisted might be the reality check he needs.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
SD, agree 100% with every word, I hope Cam gets another shot and works it out, at 25 years old and maybe 7 more years of senior footy, plus $350K per year this kid could really set himself up in life and walk away with a great career, but its in his hands.
DTM
Guest
I don't have a problem with the article (a little short on detail but that's ok). It's the headline that's misleading. Not sure if the author (Justin) is responsible for that or an editor? Either way, we expect better for the huge $ we are paying for our subscription!
ScottD
Roar Guru
I am disappointed that Cam is leaving. He is a rare talent and if he was able to be played as the second or third forward he would have been more successful. However, having said that, his attitude has been average at times and he has let himself down. I am on the other hand heartened that the new management at Fremantle is making the hard decisions and that can only bode well for the club in the future.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yep, agree with the comments above about the headline. Rubbish sensationalism at work. It really is a blight on reporting and does the ROAR a real disservice. Disappointing that reporting the facts accurately isn't top of the agenda.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Yes,I think your 100% right, thats why I think a new environment and the kid could play a major roll for a side.
Marty
Roar Rookie
See my post above for my 2 cents worth Cracka. From what I’ve heard self motivation wasn’t one of his character traits.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Hmmmm really liked McCarthy at GWS had huge upside and I believed the kid could be a star in the making, then arrived at Fremantle and was only average….. I think if McCarthy went to a Geelong, Hawthorn (maybe), or a Sydney he would have success as a player. Makes me wonder what is or was the problem at the Dockers?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
How about: West Australian player manager lets down a third charge.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
There is a common link: Shane Kersten...didn't turn up for rehab when he was injured. Managed by Colin Young. Cam McCarthy, managed by Colin Young. Jason Carter, managed by Colin Young. I wonder if this manager advises his charges about requirements of professional footy (especially in difficult times) or whether he just sends invoices and takes a cut until it dries up.
Marty
Roar Rookie
It was a second offence for Carter so he needs to have a think about whether he wants to be an AFL player and McCarthy didn’t want to go into the hub if he wasn’t going to get a game, which is understandable. Good luck to him, AFL isn’t for everyone. The only issue I have is that he wants to go back to South Fremantle (BOO!). We’d love to have him up at Moss Street, we need all help we can get at the moment!
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Looks like a couple of young blokes making bad decisions. They should have played out the season if only to advertise themselves to other footy clubs. McCarthy will regret his time in footy when he gets older, a couple of really bad decisions that I cant recall seeing before.
Marty
Roar Rookie
While he had some talent it appeared from the outside that McCarthy didn’t really have the dedication required to make it as an AFL player. That being said it was a massive ask to go from being the 3rd forward in a highly skilled team to the number 1 target it a team that didn’t really value skills and had a defensive game plan/style. I’m not sure I would have liked to have been a lead up forward at freo during that period. The year off didn’t do him any favours either.
Neil from Warrandyte
Roar Rookie
Agree entirely. Headline implies something more sinister at play at Fremantle which is misleading to say the least.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Great headline. I suppose it’s easier than going to all the effort of writing something like ‘Players and club agree to early departure.’