Second-year West Coast talent Tom McCarthy is set for a new midfield role at the Eagles in 2026 after his record-breaking first season at the club.
Taken with Pick 1 in last season's Mid-Season Draft by the Eagles, McCarthy broke the Eagles record for most disposals by a debutant with 31, and recorded the most disposals by any West Coast player in a single game for the 2025 season.
He went on to play 10 games after debuting just two weeks after he was drafted by the Eagles out of Richmond's VFL program.
McCarthy revealed on Wednesday that he's set for a new role for 2026 and his first AFL pre-season.
"At the moment, I've been training through the midfield a lot, learning lots of new craft through the likes of Luke Shuey, and learning the position a lot more," he said.
"I have a lot more confidence now, can get a bit bigger in the gym, feel a lot fitter now than I did this time last year, and working through the midfield a little bit more will be exciting, and feeling a lot more confident this time round.
"Not sure how it will look throughout the year, half-back's still there, but I think more midfield time this year, hopefully Round 1, I'll be in there."
McCarthy spent time across both midfield and defence playing in Richmond's VFL side before being drafted by the Eagles, where he has predominantly played half-back.
"Originally, I like to be in the contest a bit more, that's where I grew with my footy, but when I went behind the ball I can see the whole game, and use my skills a bit more," he added.
"Coming through local footy, a lot of midfield is where I was, so I don't mind going back there this year.
McCarthy spoke about his potential replacement in the backline, flagging some of the club's other young talent to get the job done, headlined by new first-round draft pick Josh Lindsay
"I'm not sure what the team looks like Round 1, but he's (Josh Lindsay) training really well through there," he said.
"We've got Lucca Grego and Starcevich coming back there as well, Brady Hough, so spots are tough at the moment, which is great."
The Eagles will be looking to improve off last season after only winning one game in 2025, and McCarthy and their new draftees will look to drive success.
"I'm just thinking about that first win," he admitted.
"I think I've lost 10 games now, so that's not what I want to really think about. I'm thinking about what our first win looks like, and I think it's going to come pretty early."
