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GREATER Western Sydney forward Cam McCarthy has ramped up his bid for a trade to Fremantle, pleading with the Giants to consider dealing him before next Thursday's deadline.
However, Giants coach Leon Cameron, while empathetic to McCarthy's homesickness, declared on NAB AFL Trade Radio on Friday that a trade for the talented 20-year-old was simply "not going to happen"
McCarthy is contracted for the next two years after re-signing with GWS midway through the season, but is now desperate to return to his home state and be closer to family.
He has suggested he would ask for a trade again at the end of next season if his request is denied by the Giants.
The Dockers have made McCarthy their priority for the rest of the NAB Trade Period after securing talented Sun Harley Bennell, but the Giants have so far refused to consider any offers for the 21-gamer.
McCarthy spoke to The West Australian on Thursday, with his comments in direct contrast to those made by GWS football manager Graeme Allan, who has claimed the young forward "loves Sydney".
But McCarthy is desperate to return home.
"I love all the boys at GWS and they’ve been great and stuff like that, but living in western Sydney I don’t think is for me," McCarthy said.
"I don’t really get to come home much - all the Melbourne boys get to fly back every time there’s a weekend off, but I haven’t really had the opportunity because Perth is so far away.
"I’ve got two younger sisters and you don’t really see them grow up as much in a way.
"I don’t want to miss too much of that because they’re pretty important to me."
Fremantle had reportedly considered trading its 2015 and 2016 first round picks for McCarthy, but it no longer holds a selection in the first round this year after sending pick No.16 to Gold Coast for Bennell.
Its first pick in this year's draft is No.22, which it received from the Suns in the Bennell deal.
But Cameron seemingly extinguished McCarthy's hopes of a return home.
"It's not going to happen. We really rate Cam – he's an important part of our footy club," he said.
"I've seen this happen before. Once they get back into the fray of pre-season, they can produce some outstanding footy. We're really confident we can get Cam back in with the boys and playing some really good footy next year."
The Giants coach acknowledged homesickness was always an issue for youngsters from other states, but expected McCarthy to "get through it", just as many players on the Giants' list had.
Cameron cited the examples of fellow West Australians such as Steven Coniglio, Rhys Palmer, Nathan Wilson and Rory Lobb as players who have thrived with the Giants.
He also said:
• He expected to find out in the next "two or three days" the intentions of Geelong's triple premiership star Steve Johnson, who is weighing up a possible dual playing/coaching role.
• It was likely that "some" of the four contracted Giants linked to Carlton – Liam Sumner, Jed Lamb, Andrew Phillips and Lachie Plowman – would find their way to Ikon Park.
• He was looking forward to flexible tall Adam Tomlinson continuing his career with the Giants as he was "an integral part" of the club.
• The return for trading midfield star Adam Treloar to Collingwood or "other clubs" needed to be significant because he was a "special player", and the Giants wouldn't be rushed into sealing the deal.
