GREATER Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron believes homesick forward Cam McCarthy will return to the club to begin pre-season training in November and have a massive impact in 2016.
McCarthy stunned GWS officials earlier this month when he requested to be traded back to his home state of Western Australia, despite having two years to run on his current contract.
Fremantle is understood to be hopeful of bringing McCarthy to the club to boost its goalscoring potential, with captain Matthew Pavlich still deciding on his future.
The 20-year-old kicked 35 goals from 20 games in a breakout season in 2015 and earned himself a NAB rising star nomination in round eight.
Cam McCarthy determined to leave GWS, says agent
GWS players are currently on leave from the club, but in an exclusive chat with AFL.com.au, Cameron said he's been in constant contact with McCarthy in the past fortnight and reinforced that he's confident the WA boy won't be departing the Giants.
"He's a required player and he's going to be staying at our club," Cameron said.
"All of our dealings throughout the year were really good, Cam and I had some great chats, and I knew he was homesick but not to the extent of wanting to go home.
"I understand that young kids go through that, a lot of the young kids on our list that have re-signed are fourth-year players, and their first and second years are the toughest because they've moved away from home.
"But when they get over that hump and realise that the culture (at the club) is great, they're playing some good footy, they love being here and away they go.
"I've seen it with all the boys who have re-committed this year, Dylan Shiel would have been homesick, Toby Greene as homesick, it's natural and Cam is going through it a little bit.
"We're really confident that he's going to come back and make a massive impact on our footy club next year."
Want the finals or clear out, says Shaw
Meanwhile, Giants power forward Jon Patton is back in Sydney after being king hit in an unprovoked attack on a night out with teammate Tomas Bugg in the United States.
Patton was taken to hospital and diagnosed with concussion after the incident, which occurred outside a bar in West Hollywood.
A male was taken into custody and arrested on the night, and both Patton and Bugg have provided police with video statements, meaning that if charges are laid – which is expected – the players will not be required to attend any court proceedings.
Patton was on holiday with Bugg and fellow Giant Stephen Coniglio – who was not present when Patton was attacked – with the trio planning to travel throughout the Unites States and Europe on their end of season break.
Cameron said that he was shocked when he heard the news, but is thankful that Patton wasn't seriously injured.
"To be totally honest he's a little bit shaken, nobody ever wants to be in that situation and it's disturbing," Cameron said.
"I'm disappointed for him because he needed a break and it was a trip of a lifetime with his mates.
"It's not just me it's scary for everyone, you just don't want that sort of stuff happening.
"I was really proud of Jon and Tom (Bugg) and the way they handled a really sticky situation, that reinforces to me that we're on the right track."
