Opening Mid-Season Draft selection Tom McCarthy will suit up for West Coast's WAFL side this weekend for his first game in the blue and gold.
McCarthy arrived in Perth on Thursday after being taken with Pick 1 in this week's talent intake the night prior, with a meeting against Swan Districts to come in fourth day as an Eagle.
The Richmond VFL product rose on the radar of AFL clubs after a strong start to his 2025 campaign with the Tigers, with McCarthy not even thinking about the AFL 16 months ago.
The Dingley-tied defender was stellar under Richmond coach Jake Batchelor, showing his value as a hard-running half-back who is also strong in the air.
Now a West Coast player, McCarthy will look to fellow Mid-Season Draft Pick 1 selection Ryan Maric to strengthen his game at the top level.
"That's the plan," McCarthy said of a role in defence.
"It's where I've been playing this year. To start the year, that's where they want me to play.
"Watching Ryan Maric out of half-back, I've sort of taken a bit from his game. His foot skills are elite, and it's something I want to improve in. I think mine are pretty good, but to get to his level will be the next step. So I've been watching him closely.
"[The Eagles] are building a really exciting brand of footy and are improving along the way. I'll be working with the backline group. It's a young group I'll look to ease my way into. Their game style will suit my run and carry to pick out the offence."
The 24-year-old joins fellow AFL-listed Eagles Clay Hall and Campbell Chesser in coming into the Eagles' reserves side for their Round 8 clash at Steel Blue Oval.
His maiden WAFL showing will be among the first steps toward an AFL debut, with McCarthy potentially following in the footsteps of Maric, who debuted just 10 days after being taken by the Eagles in 2023.
"I'll definitely be ready. I feel ready now," McCarthy said of an AFL debut.
"I still want to ease my way into it. I haven't even trained with the group yet. So I'll get a couple of sessions in and a WAFL game, and I'll definitely put my hand up.
"I definitely know I won't take this for granted, I'll work as hard as I can."
Tom McCarthy is ready for life in the AFL ๐ pic.twitter.com/j3XqZZunNs
โ West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) May 30, 2025
"I know my body is ready and I'm confident I can perform at the level. If they give me the opportunity, I'll take it.
"A great thing for me is coming over as a 24-year-old with a more mature body. I'm a guy who's learnt the system a bit. I'm a much more mature man than what I was at 18."
McCarthy's first WAFL game is scheduled for 2:30 pm local time at Bassendean Oval.
