McCarthy death confirmed as accidental

Updated October 20, 2012 10:33:05

The death of Port Adelaide player John McCarthy in Las Vegas last month has been ruled as accidental by a US coroner.

McCarthy, 22, died after falling from a rooftop at the Flamingo casino and hotel complex.

Assistant coroner in Clark County, Nevada, John Fudenberg, said McCarthy died from injuries sustained in an accidental fall.

"I can tell you that we ruled the cause of death as multiple injuries due to a fall from height and the manner of death is accidental," he said.

He would not say whether or not alcohol or drugs were found in McCarthy's system as the toxicology report was not a matter of public record.

AAP/ABC

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, united-states

First posted October 20, 2012 10:33:05

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McCarthy remembered as loving young man

Updated September 20, 2012 15:45:22

John McCarthy was a very special and loving young man, son and friend to many, his mother said at the 22-year-old's funeral in Sorrento today.

Cath McCarthy delivered a touching eulogy at the St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in her family's home town on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula in front of around 2,000 mourners.

A guard of honour farewelled McCarthy on the way to a private family burial before a wake for mourners held at the Sorrento Football Club, where he played as a junior.

Among those at the service were family and friends as well as players from McCarthy's two AFL clubs, Port Adelaide and Collingwood.

Mrs McCarthy said her "Johnny Boy" was a very spiritual person whose love, kindness and softness knew no bounds.

"He loved his family with an intensity. He was a lover, and I'd like to say not a fighter. However if you crossed one of his own, you were in trouble," she said.

"He loved his beautiful partner Dani and her family, who embraced him like a son.

"He loved his friends, he loved his team-mates. He just generated love.

"Everywhere he went he touched people and I believe he made them better for he was not ashamed to show love."

McCarthy died last week while on a trip with 10 fellow Port Adelaide players in Las Vegas after falling from a building.

Despite the tragedy of her son's death, Mrs McCarthy said her family had no regrets.

"We could not have loved him more," she said.

"There were no handshakes in our family. Only hugs, kisses and love."

Mrs McCarthy also encouraged players from the Power and Magpies to never forget her son's spirit on the field.

"We feel for you in the tough times knowing that as young men you are exposed to pressure well beyond your years. You are an exemplary group of men," she said.

"This may not make the coaches happy, but when Port Adelaide plays Collingwood we hope for a draw," she added to laughter among the congregation.

"However, whatever the result, we will be cheering for every player out there and hoping Johnny is helping them.

"For never play for Johnny, just play with him."

All 18 AFL clubs were represented at the service which was also attended by his former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse and AFL chief Andrew Demetriou.

Services were also held at Port Adelaide Football Club's base at Alberton and Westpac Centre in Melbourne, with big screens showing the funeral from Sorrento.

About 1,500 mourners gathered at Alberton Oval, where the club held a memorial.

Fighting back tears, Port Adelaide deputy chairman Kevin Osborn said the loss of the young footballer had shocked and galvanised the Australian football community.

He said McCarthy would be remembered for his smile, bright personality and absolute commitment to the club.

"This accident took one of our special people, a warrior of this club, number 35, worn with pride," he said.

"John McCarthy, Johnny to his family, J-Mac to his supporters and many at the club. Rest assured, he will not be forgotten."

In a video tribute, team-mate and close friend Brad Ebert said McCarthy had been great to share a joke and laugh with.

"I'm so grateful that I had the time that I did with John," Ebert said.

"Although it was only 10 months to a year, speaking to the guys, we felt like he was here for 10 years.

"It was just the way that he came in and embraced the Port Adelaide way, got around the team. He was fantastic."

Port Adelaide's Brandon Chaplin said even those supporters who had never met McCarthy were grieving.

McCarthy played 39 AFL games. He played 18 for Collingwood after being drafted by the Magpies in 2007.

He was delisted by Collingwood but drafted by Port Adelaide, playing 21 games for the Power in the 2012 season.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, community-and-society, sorrento-3943, port-adelaide-5015, sa, australia, vic

First posted September 20, 2012 07:01:09

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Mass and memorial service to remember McCarthy

Updated September 17, 2012 15:40:39

There is to be a memorial service this week for Port Adelaide footballer John McCarthy, who died in Las Vegas in an early morning fall.

The service will be at Port's home ground, Alberton Oval, on Thursday morning, at the same time as his funeral mass in his home community of Sorrento in Victoria.

The Adelaide public event is expected to include a live video feed from the mass.

Port Adelaide Football Club chaplain Brandon Chaplin will lead the memorial service.

Port CEO Keith Thomas said the Alberton service would let supporters, the club and the wider public honour McCarthy's life and be a part of the Sorrento mass.

"John had a remarkable impact at Port Adelaide in his first season with us and that extended from within the club to our members, supporters and the broader football public," he said.

"We know that all of those people are deeply saddened by the John's passing so it is fitting that we can invite the public to a club memorial and also provide a connection with the service in Sorrento for those who wish to observe it."

Tags: australian-football-league, sa, port-adelaide-5015, adelaide-5000, sorrento-3943, australia

First posted September 17, 2012 13:36:27

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McCarthy was a ripping bloke: Cassisi

Updated September 13, 2012 18:21:47

AFL footballer John McCarthy was a "ripping bloke" with an infectious personality, his Port Adelaide captain Dom Cassisi says.

McCarthy fell to his death from the roof of a Las Vegas casino while on an end-of-season trip with 10 other Port players.

Cassisi, who was not with the group in Las Vegas, on Thursday paid tribute to McCarthy.

"John was a ripping bloke. I haven't seen anyone come into our club and just fit in with the boys from day one," Cassisi said on Thursday in an interview with a club official on Port's website.

"He has got a really infectious personality and was always up and about.

"You walk into the club in the morning and he's smiling from the moment you walk in, and that is something that we will definitely miss.

"No matter what the circumstances were - whether we'd won or lost, whether he played good or bad - he was always there for the group and always trying to be positive."

Cassisi described the period since McCarthy's death on Sunday morning Las Vegas time as "really, really tough".

"It does feel as though we have known him for years and years - he has only been here for 12 months - but it just goes to show the impact and what sort of bloke he was," Cassisi said.

"You meet him and you instantly like the bloke.

"We got to spend some very special times with him in the 12 months he was here.

"And it was only a week or two (ago) we were having a few beers and saying to him how much we have enjoyed having his company at the club, and he was really looking forward to next year."

AAP

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First posted September 13, 2012 18:19:36

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Malthouse pays tribute to McCarthy

Updated September 11, 2012 15:35:11

The first public duty Mick Malthouse had in his new AFL guise as Carlton coach was to mourn John McCarthy.

Malthouse coached McCarthy at Collingwood for four years before they went their separate ways at the end of last season.

As Malthouse went into a media role, McCarthy was traded to Port Adelaide.

The 22-year-old died earlier this week while on an end-of-season holiday with Power team-mates in Las Vegas.

Referring to McCarthy, Malthouse opened his Tuesday morning media conference to announce his appointment as Blues coach by saying he has a heavy heart.

"It does put things in perspective," Malthouse said.

"It's one of those moments I guess, we come to realise that being an AFL footballer doesn't give you an immunity to tragedies.

"A lot of boys would like to think they wear a Superman suit around, but unfortunately that's not the case."

Malthouse remembered sitting in the stands while McCarthy toiled away in the VFL, trying to stake a claim for senior selection.

McCarthy had many friends at the Magpies and his death has hit the club hard ahead of Saturday night's semi-final against West Coast.

The team will wear black armbands for the match against the Eagles.

Magpies captain Nick Maxwell says he will remember McCarthy as someone who was always smiling and positive.

"He was someone who had the potential to be a leader of the future for us," Maxwell said.

"He was always someone you could talk to and rely on and follow what we were trying to do around the football club.

"In the end, due to circumstances and not being able to break into the team, he looked for opportunity from elsewhere.

"But that had nothing to do with him as a person or the kind of guy he was around the football club."

Maxwell and Magpies coach Nathan Buckley says they have encouraged players who were close to McCarthy to talk about their grief.

"Anyone's who's a brother or a son or has a close mate, if you can imagine that they're not sitting beside you any longer, that's what some of our boys are feeling," Buckley said.

"We've got some guys who were really close to John.

"His time at the club is still fondly remembered and it's just a tragedy for his family and friends to be going through what they're going through.

The club's feeling it as well and it's just a tragic circumstance - we deal with it as best as we possibly can."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053

First posted September 11, 2012 15:31:55

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'Unique' McCarthy remembered fondly by family

Updated September 11, 2012 18:18:14

The family of AFL footballer John McCarthy has described the Port Adelaide midfielder as a "unique" and "precious" person.

McCarthy died in Las Vegas on Sunday (local time) after falling more than nine metres from the rooftop of the famous hotel and casino, The Flamingo.

The 22-year-old was holidaying in Las Vegas with several of his Power team-mates and had only arrived in the United States over the weekend.

He was found at 5:37am on Sunday and was pronounced dead less than an hour later at a hospital trauma centre.

The circumstances of McCarthy's death are still being investigated but the coroner's office in Las Vegas does not believe it is suspicious.

McCarthy's uncle, John Olle, spoke to the media on behalf of the family in the Victorian seaside town of Sorrento on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Olle expressed gratitude to the "overwhelming flood of well wishes" following the death of his nephew.

He says McCarthy, who was known as Johnny among his family, was a young man of great character.

"A life does not attract a response of such magnitude unless it is truly worthy and the life of Johnny was," Mr Olle said.

"He was a unique, precious and loved young man."

McCarthy began his AFL career with Collingwood, having been recruited by the Magpies in the 2007 draft.

Mr Olle says McCarthy's reaction following his drafting spoke volumes about the person he was.

"He had some dear friends who weren't drafted. He spent the day with them, sharing their pain," he said.

McCarthy made his senior debut for the Magpies in 2008 but was de-listed by the club at the end of the 2011 season before linking up with the Power.

Mr Olle says McCarthy never held ill feeling towards the Magpies, with whom he made 18 senior appearances, despite their decision to de-list him in the off-season.

"He never said a bad word about Collingwood," he said.

"He was so grateful that Collingwood drafted him."

McCarthy joined the Power through the 2012 preseason draft.

The hard-running midfielder became a regular at the Power, playing 21 matches in the 2012 season.

Mr Olle says McCarthy felt he owed the Power a great debt for giving him the opportunity to continue his senior career.

"They offered him a second chance and they embraced him and not just him [but also] his girlfriend Dani," he said.

Mr Olle conceded McCarthy, who left for the US with his team-mates the day after the Power's awards night, believed his form could have been better this season.

"Not long before he went overseas he was a little dirty on his year," he said.

"He had been through a lot of for the young man. He was looking forward to the year ahead."

Mr Olle thanked the media and the AFL community for respecting the privacy of the family since they were informed of McCarthy's death on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Power released a statement earlier on Tuesday thanking the public for sharing their thoughts on McCarthy.

More than 1,500 tributes have been left on the club's website and there have been thousands more messages of support on social media.

AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) chief executive Matt Finnis says Tuesday night's AFLPA most valuable player awards will also pay tribute to McCarthy.

"We've thought long and hard about how we do that and we're intent on demonstrating our respect and some small tribute," he said.

"There will be a number of players who would ordinarily have attended tonight who won't be there, but there will be many members of the broader football community who I'm sure will come together and draw some support."

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, sorrento-3943, port-adelaide-5015, collingwood-3066

First posted September 11, 2012 17:38:09

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Malthouse pays tribute to McCarthy

Updated September 11, 2012 15:35:11

The first public duty Mick Malthouse had in his new AFL guise as Carlton coach was to mourn John McCarthy.

Malthouse coached McCarthy at Collingwood for four years before they went their separate ways at the end of last season.

As Malthouse went into a media role, McCarthy was traded to Port Adelaide.

The 22-year-old died earlier this week while on an end-of-season holiday with Power team-mates in Las Vegas.

Referring to McCarthy, Malthouse opened his Tuesday morning media conference to announce his appointment as Blues coach by saying he has a heavy heart.

"It does put things in perspective," Malthouse said.

"It's one of those moments I guess, we come to realise that being an AFL footballer doesn't give you an immunity to tragedies.

"A lot of boys would like to think they wear a Superman suit around, but unfortunately that's not the case."

Malthouse remembered sitting in the stands while McCarthy toiled away in the VFL, trying to stake a claim for senior selection.

McCarthy had many friends at the Magpies and his death has hit the club hard ahead of Saturday night's semi-final against West Coast.

The team will wear black armbands for the match against the Eagles.

Magpies captain Nick Maxwell says he will remember McCarthy as someone who was always smiling and positive.

"He was someone who had the potential to be a leader of the future for us," Maxwell said.

"He was always someone you could talk to and rely on and follow what we were trying to do around the football club.

"In the end, due to circumstances and not being able to break into the team, he looked for opportunity from elsewhere.

"But that had nothing to do with him as a person or the kind of guy he was around the football club."

Maxwell and Magpies coach Nathan Buckley says they have encouraged players who were close to McCarthy to talk about their grief.

"Anyone's who's a brother or a son or has a close mate, if you can imagine that they're not sitting beside you any longer, that's what some of our boys are feeling," Buckley said.

"We've got some guys who were really close to John.

"His time at the club is still fondly remembered and it's just a tragedy for his family and friends to be going through what they're going through.

The club's feeling it as well and it's just a tragic circumstance - we deal with it as best as we possibly can."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053

First posted September 11, 2012 15:31:55

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Coroner confirms AFL player McCarthy fell from rooftop

By North America correspondent Craig McMurtrie and staff

Updated September 11, 2012 17:44:50

The Las Vegas coroner investigating the death of AFL player John McCarthy says the Port Adelaide midfielder fell more than nine metres from the rooftop of a casino property.

Clark County coroner Mike Murphy has confirmed to the ABC that the 22-year-old Australian was found at 5:37am (local time) on Sunday and was pronounced dead less than an hour later at a hospital trauma centre.

McCarthy's body has been formally identified by a family representative.

Mr Murphy says McCarthy's death is still under investigation, but it appears he fell just over 9.1m from the rooftop of a building at a famous hotel and casino, The Flamingo.

An autopsy has been carried out, but Mr Murphy says toxicology tests may take weeks.

Authorities say there are no suspicious circumstances.

Police are interviewing witnesses and reviewing security camera footage and are expected to release more information shortly.

Jose Hernandez from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says the Violent Crimes Section has been called in to investigate.

"It's very common for that unit to investigate incidents like this," he told ABC News Breakfast.

"Of course, everything is being looked into.

"Obviously we don't know what the circumstances are, however, our investigation is ongoing and we hope to have some answers very soon.

"I'm not sure who or how many witnesses we have, and unfortunately that's all part of the investigation, so any witnesses or anyone who may have information, our detectives will begin to get in touch with those they haven't got in touch with already."

McCarthy was travelling with 10 team-mates - Travis Boak, Matthew Broadbent, Alipate Carlile, Brett Ebert, Hamish Hartlett, Tom Logan, Andrew Moore, Paul Stewart, Jackson Trengove and Justin Westhoff - on an end-of-season trip.

McCarthy became separated from the group shortly before his death.

None of the players were staying at The Flamingo.

Port Adelaide Football Club chief executive Keith Thomas said he had to inform them over the phone about McCarthy's death.

"It was a great shock, very emotional and they are making arrangements to come back now," he said.

Port Adelaide general manager Peter Rohde is due in Las Vegas along with McCarthy's girlfriend and sister.

McCarthy's name was withheld until Monday afternoon so his family members could be informed of the tragedy.

Thomas said the main delay was trying to inform McCarthy's brother, Matt, who was also holidaying overseas.

McCarthy played 39 AFL games, including 18 for Collingwood, after being drafted in 2007.

He was delisted by the Magpies after the 2011 season before being drafted by Port Adelaide in the 2012 preseason draft.

The hard-running midfielder became a regular at Port Adelaide, playing 21 games for the Power in the 2012 season.

"John was a very popular player and embraced the club as we embraced him," Thomas said.

"He came into our footy club looking to reignite his career.

"He started like a bomb, looked fantastic and we had great hopes for him."

Several Port Adelaide players and staff were told of the news at the club's headquarters at Alberton.

Port Adelaide best and fairest winner Kane Cornes tweeted after the announcement.

"Hug your kids and tell your family you love them. We've just lost the nicest guy and best teammate you could ever ask for. Too sad."

Former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, who mentored McCarthy at the Magpies, spoke about the vulnerability of elite footballers.

"It is one of those moments that we come to realise that being an AFL footballer does not give you an immunity to tragedy,'' Malthouse said.

Malthouse, who today was announced as the new Carlton coach, recalled watching McCarthy in the stands as he battled his way back from injury to return to the top grade.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou described McCarthy's death as a "profound tragedy" and extended his sympathies on behalf of the football family.

"He was on an upward path," Demetriou said.

"And by all accounts, I think his career was at the early stages of taking off."

The AFL has announced a minute's silence will be observed before both of its finals matches this weekend.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, police, united-states, port-adelaide-5015, sa, australia

First posted September 11, 2012 06:46:55

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AFL player McCarthy confirmed dead in Vegas

Updated September 11, 2012 00:27:45

The Port Adelaide Football Club has confirmed that one of its players, John McCarthy, has died in Las Vegas.

Port Adelaide Football Club chief executive Keith Thomas said McCarthy, 22, died whilst holidaying with 10 other Port Adelaide players on an end-of-season trip.

The club understands McCarthy fell from the balcony of a high-rise hotel, believed to be The Flamingo, in the early hours of Monday morning.

McCarthy and his team-mates, who left for the United States on Saturday, were not staying at The Flamingo.

Thomas said McCarthy was not with any of his team-mates at the time of his death.

"We understand there were witnesses on the ground at the incident but have no details," Thomas said after talking to Victorian police.

The other Port players in Las Vegas were Travis Boak, Matthew Broadbent, Alipate Carlile, Brett Ebert, Hamish Hartlett, Tom Logan, Andrew Moore, Paul Stewart, Jackson Trengove and Justin Westhoff.

Thomas said he had to inform the other 10 players in Las Vegas over the phone about McCarthy's death.

"It was a great shock, very emotional and they are making arrangements to come back now," he said.

The Flamingo issued a statement earlier today saying a man was found dead near its south entrance at 5.40am local time (10.40pm AEST).

"He was transported to the University Medical Center of Las Vegas, where he was pronounced deceased," a spokesperson said.

McCarthy played 39 AFL games, including 18 for Collingwood after being drafted in 2007.

McCarthy was delisted by the Magpies after the 2011 season before being drafted by Port Adelaide in the 2012 Pre-season Draft.

The hard-running midfielder became a regular at Port Adelaide, playing 21 games for the Power in the 2012 season.

"John was a very popular player and embraced the club as we embraced him," Thomas said.

"He came into our footy club looking to reignite his career.

"He started like a bomb, looked fantastic and we had great hopes for him."

Thomas said the club was informed of the tragedy, which is still being investigated, around 9.30am.

McCarthy's name was withheld until Monday afternoon so his family members could be informed of the tragedy.

Thomas said the main delay was trying to inform McCarthy's brother, Matt, who was also holidaying overseas.

Matt McCarthy, who along with father Shane played for Geelong, was notified only minutes before the press conference, Thomas said.

Port Adelaide general manager Peter Rohde is on his way to the United States to be with the rest of the travelling Power players.

Thomas said Rohde is likely to make contact with McCarthy's sister, who is in the United States, to work out the process of bringing his body back to Australia.

"Clearly there is an investigation going on, so it could be several days," Thomas added.

Several Port Adelaide players and staff were told of the news earlier today at the club's headquarters at Alberton.

"We'll pull together. The players will pull together, they are all together now. It will strengthen us," Thomas said.

"We enjoyed a tough year on the field. We are in the process of looking forward to next year and this is a major, major setback emotionally.

"First thing is to make sure everyone is OK, that his parents are looked after, and his brother and sister.

"We'll wrap our arms around our players and their partners. We are doing that now.

"We'll be stronger for it."

Port Adelaide best and fairest winner Kane Cornes tweeted after the announcement.

"Hug your kids and tell your family you love them. We've just lost the nicest guy and best teammate you could ever ask for. Too sad."

Collingwood said the club would wear black armbands during their semi-final against West Coast on Saturday night.

Collingwood club president Eddie Maguire described McCarthy as sparkly-eyed with a great spirit and great love for his friends, his club and his sport.

"John was an exceptional young man in the prime of his life with the whole world ahead of him," Maguire added in a statement.

"We are devastated to hear of his passing, and our hearts go out to his loving parents Shane and Catherine, his family and friends.

"We are proud that John wore the black and white jumper and his contribution to our club will never be forgotten."

McCarthy was named as an emergency for the 2010 grand final and replay, which Collingwood won.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou described McCarthy's death as a "profound tragedy" and extended his sympathies on behalf of the football family.

"He was on an upward path," Demetriou said.

"And by all accounts, I think his career was at the early stages of taking off."

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, united-states, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted September 10, 2012 12:33:07

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