A highly popular figure in his four years with Collingwood, John left for Port Adelaide at the end of last season but remained a close friend to many at the Westpac Centre.
Collingwoodfc.com.au has published a photo gallery highlighting the story of 'J-Mac's career in the black and white.
John McCarthy
Games: 39
(Collingwood: 18; Port Adelaide: 21)
Goals: 15
(Collingwood: 10; Port Adelaide: 5)
A fresh-faced 17-year-old straight out of Sorrento and into the Australian Institute of Sport for the 2007 AFL Draft Camp.
Welcome to Collingwood, John. In his own words, John described himself as follows:
“I suppose I’m a bit of a rough-nut midfielder, I kind of like to tackle. I probably haven’t got the flashiest skills, but I’m pretty hard at it. Determined and tenacious, I’ll say that.”
Out on the training track and loving every second while cutting his teeth under Gavin Brown and Paul Licuria in the VFL on the weekends in 2008. In June, he told collingwoodfc.com.au that he was keen to play in the seniors but understood that there was work to do, saying “I need to work on my fitness first. And I might also spend a bit of time at half back and half forward. I’m not sure whether or not I’ll play seniors this year, but it would be good.”
OUT: Alan Didak, Heath Shaw
IN: Chris Dawes, John McCarthy
In a baptism of fire, John McCarthy gathered 14 disposals and kicked a behind in Collingwood's 14-point win over St Kilda only days after it would announce that Didak and Shaw would miss the rest of the season. McCarthy debuted alongside Dawes and held his place in the side for the remainder of the year at the age of 18.
He did describe himself as determined and tenacious, and St Kilda's Shaun Dempster found out the hard way in McCarthy's debut.
Less than a week later, McCarthy was a part of Collingwood's win over Port Adelaide - the side he was to join four years later - at AAMI Stadium.
One month on, Collingwood was rank underdogs against Adelaide in an Elimination Final at AAMI Stadium. McCarthy was instrumental in the Magpies' bright start with some gutsy knock-ons paving the way for his teammates to finish in front of goal. He also wore a blow from Adelaide full back Ben Rutten but bounced back in time to sing Good Old Collingwood Forever with Dale Thomas and Harry O'Brien after another famous interstate victory.
In his 18 games in the black and white, four would be against St Kilda, two of which were in September. He came face to face with Justin Koschitzke in the Semi Final loss in 2008.
McCarthy spent most of 2009 battling various hamstring injuries, drifting in and out of the VFL side during his rehabilitation. He returned in the round 22 twilight match against the Western Bulldogs but had to leave the field momentarily after a fierce Daniel Cross tackle. It was his first match in the No. 3 jumper, having switched from No. 27 at the end of 2008.
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Another final against St Kilda and again the Magpies went under. McCarthy gave it a crack and was serviceable on the half forward flank. A statistical anomaly from his career was the frequency of his finals appearances. McCarthy played in three finals during his 18 game career in black and white, and bobbed at the tail end of the season of each of his first three seasons at the club - a clear testament to the respect in which he was held by Mick Malthouse. A player who was always willing to commit to the team in a big game.
Crossing the Jolimont railyards to head from the Westpac Centre to the MCG with two of his good friends, Ben Reid and Sean Rusling, for a pre-finals training session.
With two of Collingwood's leaders - Nick Maxwell and Nathan Buckley.
Touching the sky during a practice match in the 2010 pre-season against Richmond at Visy Park. McCarthy shared a ride over Richmond's Luke McGuane with Paul Medhurst.
St Kilda again. McCarthy was brought back into the side to take on the Saints in a heated contest under the Friday night lights of Etihad Stadium in round three. He gathered 11 disposals before returning to the VFL, dealing with some hamstring troubles before reappearing briefly in the round 22 loss to Hawthorn. McCarthy was named alongside Simon Prestigiacomo and Tarkyn Lockyer as one of Collingwood's three emergencies for the 2010 Grand Final Replay against St Kilda.
McCarthy started the 2011 season in the VFL where he was one of the team's most consistent players in the centre square.
McCarthy celebrated NAB Cup premiership success in March, 2011, when he was part of the Collingwood team that downed Essendon to claim its first pre-season flag since 1979.
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In 2011, McCarthy played eight of Collingwood's 13 games between rounds nine and 22, winning 20 disposals against the Crows in round nine and kicking two against West Coast in round 10. His final appearance for the club at senior level was in round 22 against the Brisbane Lions.
At the end of the 2011 season, McCarthy sought greener pastures at Alberton Oval and left with Collingwood's blessing. He played 21 of a possible 22 games for Port Adelaide in 2012, serving the club with distinction in the midfield and across half forward. Fittingly, he gathered an equal season-high 30 possessions in his one and only match against his old side in round four.
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As well as being a talented footballer, John McCarthy was a great mate.
And left a positive impression on all who met him.
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"His infectious personality and perpetual smile will stay with me" - Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley. No doubt that personality and smile will resonate with countless others across the country. Side By Side forever, J-Mac.
