Nick's Collingwood Bulletin Board

There are no words to describe how everyone must be feeling, particularly his family and friends.

You never want this to happen to anyone. And you never think it is going to be one of your own. One of our boys. Truly devastating.

I hope every supporter in the world unites for this and doesn't just see only their teams colours. The football community will never be the same

RIP John McCarthy. A beautiful soul gone way too early. Hope you kick the winning goal in the grand final in the sky xxxx

Love always, Alyssa xoxo

Condolences to the McCarthy family.

I met his grandfather at a local footy final in the GVFL and J-Mac was playing in a qualifying final against St Kilda in 2009 i think.

I was watching the game on TV and he said that is his grandson playing and I asked which one and he said John McCarthy.

I could tell he was so proud of him and I can only imagine the hurt and devastation he must be feeling at losing a grandson so young along with all his family and friends and teammates over the years.

I always kept a close watch on Johns career from that day forward after that chance meeting with his Grandfather, hoping he would make it in the Black and White.

Little did i know then he would end up at Port Adelaide, but I understood his reasons for making the decision he did, so he could become a regular senior player at an AFL club.

It breaks my heart to see his life end in these tragic circumstances.

RIP John McCarthy #3

I was really upset when Collingwood delisted him.
I just couldn't understand why.
I'm even more upset to hear the tragic news today.
RIP John.

RIP John, gone too soon.

I don't know about anyone else, but I feel so deflated about this whole tragedy, that I'm not even worried about what happens anymore for the rest of the season.

I still can't believe that such a young man with so much life ahead of him could die in such tragic circumstances like that. This is going to really dampen the mood of the footy community for a long time.

RIP John McCarthy

Does anyone have the Link about Luke Ball said about it

Jezza wrote:I don't know about anyone else, but I feel so deflated about this whole tragedy, that I'm not even worried about what happens anymore for the rest of the season.

I still can't believe that such a young man with so much life ahead of him could die in such tragic circumstances like that. This is going to really dampen the mood of the footy community for a long time.

RIP John McCarthy

Good on you Jezza. It is not something anyone of us wants to go through, but yesterday brought back stark memories of the morning after Darren Millane was killed in that awful car smash. It was so shocking because Millane was such a superstar, but for all of us (but especially you young-uns) this seems just as tragic a waste of life. So sad.

I don't think I'll post about Saturday's game at all now.

RIP, J-MAC.

Sliding doors. if he was still on our list, this wouldn't have happened.

Such a horrible thing. RIP.

Dave The Man wrote:Does anyone have the Link about Luke Ball said about it

Luke Ball says Collingwood players shattered by John McCarthy death



LUKE Ball was one of the first to hear the news that cut Collingwood to the core.

Ball heard of John McCarthy's death mid-morning yesterday through a strong family connection.

McCarthy's brother Matt, a former Geelong forward, played with Ball's older brother Matt for the Old Xaverians.

As the news spread at the Westpac Centre, there were tears and disbelief five days out from the club's semi-final clash against West Coast.

McCarthy was much loved at the Magpies and particularly close to star midfielder Dayne Beams.

McCarthy played 18 games at Collingwood between 2008 and 2011.

The 22-year-old also had a strong bond with Jarryd Blair, Ben Reid, Nathan Brown and Brent Macaffer, among others.

"Today's news is just met with utter devastation for everyone involved," Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said.

"The players are shattered. These are guys who have grown up and played with each other for years ... have gone through grand final and premiership campaigns together ... have lived with each other ... holidayed together."

Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert spoke to McCarthy's closest friends individually. The team and football department was then addressed as a collective.

Collingwood will wear black armbands against the Eagles at the MCG on Saturday night, with more tributes likely.

The Magpies were talking about far bigger issues than winning finals yesterday.

"You have to have a wider view," McGuire said, despite the impending final.

"There is no way of sugar-coating this ... it cuts people to the quick.

"We hope the boys can regroup themselves, go out and play on the weekend and honour their fallen teammate ... but that's the least of our issues at the moment."

The players will have counselling, and the Eagles and the premiership tilt were on the backburner at Collingwood.

The players spent yesterday dealing with what McGuire said could be a life-affecting tragedy.

It might inspire, it might deflate. West Coast can wait.

Jezza wrote:I don't know about anyone else, but I feel so deflated about this whole tragedy, that I'm not even worried about what happens anymore for the rest of the season.

I still can't believe that such a young man with so much life ahead of him could die in such tragic circumstances like that. This is going to really dampen the mood of the footy community for a long time.

RIP John McCarthy

Yeah feel the same mate puts everything in perspective

RIP John.

My thoughts and prayers are with his parents. Burying your son or daughter is the worst thing life can bring.

Rest in peace john.

This is getting sadder by the minute.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl ... 6470914423

UPDATE: JOHN McCarthy made a phone call to his girlfriend about an hour before his fatal fall from the roof of a Las Vegas hotel.
. .
Port Adelaide Football Club spokesman Andrew Rutter confirmed this morning the 22-year-old had spoken to his partner, Danielle Smarrelli, but the context of the conversation is still not clear.

Ms Smarrelli told Port Adelaide officials McCarthy sounded confused and said he wanted to return home, 3AW reported.

It is understood Ms Smarrelli left Adelaide last night for Las Vegas.

It has been suggested McCarthy had been disorientated during the phone call, but exactly how he ended up at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino - more than 4km from the Hard Rock Hotel where the group was staying - is still being investigated.