Fremantle forward Cam McCarthy is on his "last chance" according to veteran AFL reporter Jake Niall as he hopes to carry the Dockers' forward line in Jesse Hogan's absence.
Hogan has been granted an indefinite leave from the club as he fights mental health issues, and his absence leaves a gaping hole in the Dockers' forward line.
McCarthy is heading into his fourth season at Fremantle, but has struggled to reach the heights he did with the GWS Giants in a breakout 2015 season which saw him kick 35 goals in 20 games.
According to Niall, if the enigmatic 24-year-old forward is unable to recapture his best form this season, he could find himself looking for a new home, with his contract coming to an end with the Dockers.
"Hogan's grounded at the moment," he said.
"(McCarthy) must be on his last chance to stand up, kick some goals, take some marks and perform at a level of a genuine key forward. Otherwise I think he'll be done."
It remains to be seen when, if at all, Hogan will play in 2020 for new coach Justin Longmuir, and Niall said Fremantle would not be surprised with what has transpired in Hogan's tenure with the club to date.
"They went in with their eyes open," he said.
"They knew the risks that come with getting Jesse with some of the off-field issues that he's had and some of the injuries he's had.
"He had a significant navicular bone injury which is not an easy injury to get over.
"Having said that, key forwards are very difficult to get, and I suppose Fremantle also knew that Melbourne were really pushing him out the door."
Niall conceded that Fremantle is well and truly in rebuild mode, but said their home ground advantage and the likes of Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters would see Longmuir's side avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
Fremantle lost star wing duo Brad Hill and Ed Langdon in the off-season, but will hope to blood their three top-10 picks from the draft in Hayden Young, Caleb Serong and Liam Henry.
With Longmuir at the helm instead of Ross Lyon, Niall said he expected the young players on Fremantle's list to be given ample game time.
"Hayden Young, their first pick, is a very good ball-user from behind the ball. I think we'll see him play," he said.
"Some clubs rated him as high as the No.2 pick in the draft. Caleb Serong, the No.8 pick, again I believe he'll play.
"I think Justin Longmuir as an incoming coach replacing Ross Lyon will give the young talent a fair amount of exposure at senior level."
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/afl/jake-niall-stays-cam-mccarthy-last-chance-jesse-hogan-absence-fremantle-season-preview/d6fcda45-2343-403b-9ec7-85285ae5a78a
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