Michael McCarthy
Hawthorn and Brisbane Bears
AFL career
126 games74 goals
- Debut
- R2 1978 v SME8 Apr 1978
- Most recent
- R21 1988 v CAR21 Aug 1988
Stats
1988 | BRB | 8 | 6.1 | 2.9 | 9.0 | 3.6 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 39 |
1987 | BRB | 19 | 6.4 | 4.3 | 10.7 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 41 |
1986 | HAW | 6 | 4.7 | 3.3 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | - | 0.2 | 0.5 | - |
1985 | HAW | 12 | 5.8 | 3.9 | 9.8 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.5 | - | 0.9 | 0.3 | - |
1984 | HAW | 23 | 6.8 | 5.7 | 12.5 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 1.9 | - | 0.9 | 0.6 | - |
1983 | HAW | 16 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 10.2 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 2.6 | - | 1.4 | 0.6 | - |
1981 | HAW | 12 | 7.3 | 6.1 | 13.3 | 3.0 | 1.6 | 2.0 | - | 0.3 | 0.2 | - |
1980 | HAW | 5 | 6.4 | 8.4 | 14.8 | 3.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | - | 0.0 | 0.0 | - |
1979 | HAW | 8 | 6.8 | 3.0 | 9.8 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 1.1 | - | 0.9 | 0.8 | - |
1978 | HAW | 17 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 7.9 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 1.3 | - | 0.1 | 0.1 | - |
Bio
Recruited from Frankston YCW, Michael McCarthy enjoyed a dream start to his VFL career, playing in a premiership side in his debut season with Hawthorn in 1978. Standing at 193cm, he was a versatile key position player capable of holding down centre half-back or drifting forward to become a dangerous marking target. McCarthy often battled for selection in a star-studded lineup that included Chris Mew and Dermott Brereton, but he proved himself a vital component of the Hawks' golden era, playing in four Grand Finals for two premierships. Educated fans remember him best for his cameo in the 1983 Second Semi-Final against North Melbourne, where he came off the bench to boot four match-turning goals that propelled Hawthorn into the Grand Final.
In 1987, McCarthy became a foundation player for the Brisbane Bears, moving north as part of a Hawthorn contingent that included Ken Judge and inaugural coach Peter Knights. The Bears recruited him to provide structural stability and veteran leadership to their fledgling squad as the competition expanded nationally. He was a regular fixture during the club's historic first season, using his size and utility value to support the team's spine. McCarthy retired after two seasons in Queensland, finishing his career as a dual premiership player who successfully bridged the gap between Hawthorn's 1980s dominance and the early days of the national competition.
Profile
- Born
- 10 Oct 1957 (age 69y 11d)
- Height
- 193 cm
- Weight
- 89 kg
Teams
Honours
- Premiership(2×) 1978, 1983
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Frankston YCW, Michael McCarthy enjoyed a dream start to his VFL career, playing in a premiership side in his debut season with Hawthorn in 1978. Standing at 193cm, he was a versatile key position player capable of holding down centre half-back or drifting forward to become a dangerous marking target. McCarthy often battled for selection in a star-studded lineup that included Chris Mew and Dermott Brereton, but he proved himself a vital component of the Hawks' golden era, playing in four Grand Finals for two premierships. Educated fans remember him best for his cameo in the 1983 Second Semi-Final against North Melbourne, where he came off the bench to boot four match-turning goals that propelled Hawthorn into the Grand Final.
In 1987, McCarthy became a foundation player for the Brisbane Bears, moving north as part of a Hawthorn contingent that included Ken Judge and inaugural coach Peter Knights. The Bears recruited him to provide structural stability and veteran leadership to their fledgling squad as the competition expanded nationally. He was a regular fixture during the club's historic first season, using his size and utility value to support the team's spine. McCarthy retired after two seasons in Queensland, finishing his career as a dual premiership player who successfully bridged the gap between Hawthorn's 1980s dominance and the early days of the national competition.