The 24-year-old, who was axed by the Hawks in 2009 after playing just two games for the club, remains hopeful of another chance at the highest level.
But it won't be at Whitten Oval, with McCartney saying on Wednesday the Dogs' selections of four and 42 (with 60 likely to be used for a rookie elevation) in next Thursday's NAB AFL Draft will be used on young talent.
Click here to read Mitch Thorp's draft profile
The Dogs have already added experience to their forward line with Essendon's Stewart Crameri traded in last month.
"Probably not," McCartney said, when asked on SEN if the club was still interested in Thorp.
"We're getting close to the stage where we brought in that older body.
"Most of our picks now will be young people for the future."
Thorp has been linked to the Bulldogs, Carlton and Fremantle in recent times.
In September, Thorp won the Tasmanian State League best and fairest before leading South Launceston to its premiership over reigning premiers Burnie.
At that time, his manager Liam Pickering said there were "eight to 10" AFL clubs interested in picking up the ready-made tall forward.
He also said his client had matured greatly since his first crack at an AFL career and he was confident Thorp would be drafted, either in the national or rookie drafts.
Thorp played for VFL team Werribee after his departure from Hawthorn before heading to Tasmania to play with his brothers at South Launceston.
He has taken on a playing coaching role at the club, which Pickering said had helped in his development.
Meanwhile, McCartney said he was confident Crameri would add depth and variety to the forward line in 2014.
"You don't hit it off with every person you work with or every player you coach, but Stewie and I did have a pretty good connection.
"We were really pleased to get him, fortunate to get him; he'll help our young forwards, he'll help our club.
