Emerging West Coast Eagles talent Tom McCarthy is poised to take his game to new heights in 2026, crediting his first full AFL pre-season campaign for his rapid development.
From Mid-Season Draft Gem to Key Performer
After being selected with the prized first pick in the 2025 mid-season draft, Tom McCarthy quickly became a beacon of hope during a challenging season for the Eagles, who managed just one win. The 24-year-old made an immediate and spectacular impact, breaking records with a 31-disposal debut against Carlton. He solidified his reputation as one of West Coast's most reliable players across the final ten games of the year.
McCarthy finds himself in a unique situation, embarking on his first official AFL pre-season ahead of only his second year at the elite level. This time last year, he was preparing for VFL duties with Richmond's reserves squad.
Embracing the Grind for a Midfield Shift
A key focus for McCarthy this summer has been preparing his body for a permanent shift into the midfield. He thrived in an on-ball role when trialled there late in the 2025 season, impressing coaches with his blend of athleticism, physicality, and effective ball use.
"There's a lot of repeat-effort training, shorter bursts of speed, a lot of power. I've still got some work to do in that area," McCarthy admitted. "I'm learning to hit bodies, getting my contest work right, working on my tackling. That's been a big theme of mine."
He revealed he is soaking up knowledge from seasoned campaigners at the club, including midfield coach Luke Shuey and star teammate Tim Kelly, who has been mentoring him on the finer points of body craft and positioning.
Fitter, Stronger, and Chasing That First Win
McCarthy stated that the intense training load, while challenging, has been beneficial. He has focused heavily on recovery, nutrition, and working with club staff to manage his workload effectively.
"I feel a lot fitter than I did this time last year, so that's a great positive," he said. "Being a running player, I've smashed a few running tests and I'm feeling really good."
Having joined the Eagles after their sole victory in Round 10 against St Kilda, McCarthy is yet to experience an AFL win, with all ten of his appearances in 2025 ending in defeat. This hunger for success is driving him through the pre-season grind.
"I'm thinking about what our first win's going to look like and I think it's going to come pretty early," McCarthy said with optimism. "I'm hoping that first win will be in the first few rounds and we can certainly challenge teams a lot more than we did last season."
