Oakleigh Chargers key positional prospect Zac McCarthy is shaping to be the draft pick of dreams for Collingwood as the Magpies look to fill their key forward stocks as veterans enter the twilight of their careers.
The 199cm Next Generation Academy talent has played both in the forward line and ruck across his junior pathway, and has shown exciting flashes so far in his draft campaign.
His aerial impact, reach, and composure with ball in hand are regarded as some of his top traits and have garnered McCarthy plenty of interest in 2025.
The key tall is the latest player to be analysed in the Craft of the Draft's 'Introducing' series, dissecting a prospect's leading traits and attributes ahead of their draft campaign.
Craft of the Draft analyst Jonty Ralphsmith believes McCarthy could be "the man of the next generation" in Collingwood's forward line.
"McCarthy was an absolute standout for Oakleigh in preseason, and looked the goods in a couple of intra-club matches...McCarthy averaged 20 disposals, five marks, a goal and 13 hitouts (in the Coates Talent League) before a strong outing in a Vic Metro trial match," Ralphsmith said.
"It looks like his best spot is going to be as a centre half forward. That would allow his strengths to flourish - his running capacity, his athleticism, his skill, his marking, his goalkicking."
You can watch the full episode of 'Introducing: Zac McCarthy' by Craft of the Draft below, or via YouTube.
