New West Coast recruit Tom McCarthy has gone from stacking shelves at Woolworths to being on an AFL list, but there's some old fan-boy messages that are already coming back to haunt him.
McCarthy was one of the feel-good stories of the AFL's mid-season rookie draft, the 24-year-old selected at pick No.1 by the Eagles to cap a meteoric rise over the past few years.
The speedy half-back had never been a part of an elite junior pathway, and until two years ago was playing division two football for Highett in the Southern Football Netball League.
McCarthy joined Richmond's VFL program last year, and his progression was so rapid the Eagles had no hesitation in pouncing on him with their prized No.1 pick.
The Victorian had never even visited Perth before, and he was welcomed with open arms by his new Eagles teammates when he flew in on Thursday.
But a bonding dinner that night with Eagles players uncovered something slightly embarrassing - McCarthy's old fan messages to new teammate Jayden Hunt.
McCarthy grew up adoring the Melbourne Demons, listing the likes of David Neitz, Brad Green and Russell Robertson as some of his idols, as well as current superstar Christian Petracca.
But he also had plenty of love for Hunt, who played 114 games for Melbourne between 2016 and 2022 before joining West Coast.
"There's a few photos and messages that I sent him back in the day as a fan," McCarthy said with a laugh.
"There's a joke going around at the moment that my favourite player was Jayden Hunt back when he was at Melbourne, so there's been a bit of laughter about that.
"I can't remember what I texted him, but I used to love he had his headband ... and he used to love his choccie milk. He made it a big thing, so it would have been about that."
McCarthy, who will play for West Coast's WAFL side on Saturday, has been working in a marketing company for the past six months.
Before that, he spent more than six years at Woolworths.
For most of his football career, McCarthy has been told he is too skinny and not good enough to make it to the elite level.
He used that criticism as extra motivation to achieve his dreams.
"To go from waking up early stacking shelves ... to being footy full-time now is a very good thing for me, and I"m so excited," McCarthy said.
"For me, coming in as a 24-year-old, already working through some not fantastic jobs, I definitely know I won't take this for granted.
"I'm so glad I'm not sitting at a desk anymore."
