West Australian Football

He has recently returned from a successful campaign for WA with hopes his young Sharks can continue to improve with more wins in the second half of the season.

McCarrey said being able to contribute to WA’s big win over Queensland in Townsville was a great experience and now he was focused on the Shark’s ongoing improvement.

“We haven’t had much success in terms of wins and losses but we’re a young team with great room for improvement and I think we have gotten the closest of any team to Subiaco so hopefully we’ll fulfil that potential in the second half of the year,” McCarrey said.

“The group of guys coming through now gel really well and I’m just so excited about the times ahead if we can stick together.”

Although only 25, McCarrey is one of the elder statesmen at the club and is Deputy Vice Captain, a role he takes very seriously by setting a good example both on and off the field.

He said the shift from having Shane Woewodin as his captain and now coach had been seamless.

“Shane has got absolute respect from all the guys and everyone looks up to him and benefits from his enormous AFL experience,” he said.

The coach himself shares this respect for McCarrey.

“He’s an absolute stalwart of the club,” Mr Woewodin said.

“He gives his heart and soul every minute of every game; I’d love to coach 22 Andrew McCarreys every week.”

Mr Woewodin said he had planned to play McCarrey forward this year but injuries to key players had forced him into the backline.

“He’s filled some key roles and his season so far has been outstanding,” he said.

McCarrey said he enjoyed playing both forward and back it just depended on where he was needed most.

McCarrey who was on the Eagles rookie list in 2001 and 2002 said he did not believe he would be attractive to AFL clubs now because of his age.

“I’m not playing football with that on my mind I’m just happy to be a part of a great club like East Fremantle,” McCarrey said.