STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Mobility
+ Reach
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Upside
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Durability
- Strength

While by no means the finished product, there's plenty to like about McCarthy. He has improved at a strong rate over the last two seasons to not just put his name on the radar, but surge up draft boards. The most exciting part is that he still has a lot of development left and shapes as a high-upside type for the long-term. Despite that, his dual-position status as a key forward who can ruck only improves his likelihood of an accelerated AFL berth.

McCarthy is a lightly framed and wiry type who excels aerially. He possesses a great natural weapon in his reach, allowing him to extend at the ball overhead and pluck it at high points. Being able to do so makes him a difficult player to spoil and helps in one-on-one situations. It's also a factor when the 199cm prospect is allowed an uninterrupted run and jump at the ball, as is often the case when featuring at the centre bounces.

While impactful in the air, something which sets McCarthy apart is his agility across the ground. He's the type of tall who looks comfortable in possession, able to roam and gain separation from his opponent, or seamlessly link up with smaller players. Such play is particularly evident when stationed in the ruck, where McCarthy can get involved like a fourth midfielder and help set up attacks through the centre corridor.

As a forward, McCarthy offers a mobile marking target and has proven himself to be a consistent goalkicker. While hardly scoring in bunches, he posted a major in each National Championships game this season and kicked four in just three games for Oakleigh. It's something he can continue to enhance if utilised more often inside 50, but his ability to cover ground and chop out in the ruck suggests he won't be a typical stay-at-home type.

His athleticism suits the requirements of modern day key position prospects, but McCarthy will likely need to add a good amount of muscle to his frame to compete at the next level. It will help him become a stronger contested marker and perhaps aid his durability. A couple of injury setbacks (hip and neck) stunted McCarthy's progress this year, and there remains an element of rawness to the upside he'll look to built on.