GREATER Western Sydney has 'categorically rejected' young forward Cameron McCarthy's request for a trade.
As revealed by AFL.com.au's Damian Barrett on Thursday, McCarthy asked the Giants for a trade back to his home state of Western Australia, with Fremantle believed to be the frontrunner.
It's a surprise move from the 20-year-old who is still contracted to the Giants until the end of the 2017 season.
The West Australian has reportedly asked to be traded for family reasons.
The club initially denied McCarthy had requested a trade on Thursday night before releasing a statement on Friday, saying: "The Giants have categorically rejected this request."
Click here for the NAB AFL Trade Hub
He could be the second key forward to leave the club in as many seasons after Tom Boyd moved to the Bulldogs in last year's Trade Period despite the Giants saying he "will not be traded under any circumstances" two days prior to his departure.
McCarthy won a NAB Rising Star nomination in round eight, but surprisingly failed to poll a vote in the award.
The mobile forward formed a dangerous combination with Jeremy Cameron early in 2015 and kicked 29 goals in the first 12 rounds of the season, before falling away to finish with 35 in 20 games.
McCarthy was taken with pick No.14 in the 2013 NAB AFL draft and debuted in the final round of last season.
