AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
Full name
Bernard McCarthy
Known as
Bernie McCarthy
Born
21 August 1943
Died
16 February 2019 (aged 75)
Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 18y 245d
Last game: 27y 288d
Height and weight
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 92 kg
Senior clubs
North Melbourne
Jumper numbers
North Melbourne: 1
Family links
Gavan McCarthy (Brother)Shane McCarthy (Brother)Matthew McCarthy (Nephew)John McCarthy (Nephew)
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North Melbourne | V/AFL | 1962-1971 | 148 | 80 | 0.54 | 35% | 12.31 | 4.52 | 6.71 | 21 |
Total | 1962-1971 | 148 | 80 | 0.54 | 35% | 12.31 | 4.52 | 6.71 | 21 |
Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only
AFL: 7,344th player to appear, 1,383rd most games played, 1,370th most goals kickedNorth Melbourne: 540th player to appear, 67th most games played, 85th most goals kicked
Excellent overhead, but prone to inconsistency, Bernie McCarthy held down the centre half forward position in North Melbourne teams for much of his 10 season (1962-71), 148 game, 80 goal VFL career. Unusually for the time, he liked to play on whenever possible after taking a mark. In both 1965 and 1966 he was a member of Kangas night premiership-winning teams. Originally from Yea, after attending Assumption College, he crossed to VFA club Preston late in the 1971 season, and was one of the Bullants’ best in their first division grand final loss to Dandenong. The ensuing five seasons saw him captain-coaching South Bendigo of the Bendigo Football League. He won a competition best and fairest award in 1973, and steered the Bloods to a premiership the following year. He later coached both Rushworth and Seymour.
Author - John Devaney