McCarthy making the most of 100 Hostplus SANFL League games

By ZAC MILBANK

It would be easy to think it’s been smooth sailing for Brad McCarthy across his SANFL career. 

Glenelg’s underrated defenders has featured in an astonishing five premierships across the grades for the Tigers but in 2022 his promising career almost came to a sudden halt.

Having featured in the Bays’ drought-breaking premiership success in just his second senior year, 2019, McCarthy made the decision to return home to play with Lucindale.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 27-year-old reflected on the career-defining period, when he played in an A-grade premiership alongside his two brothers in the south-east.

Making the call to reignite his tenure at Brighton Road in 2023, McCarthy found himself featuring in the Tigers’ 2023 League success.

The Bays’ reliable No.14 missed out on the 2024 title but since Round 1 of 2025, has become a fixture in the line-up again whilst performing whatever role is asked of him.

Amazingly with U16 (2014), U18 (2016) and Reserves (2021) premiership medallions to go with his two League prizes, McCarthy is rapt to still be playing alongside two Tigers he has shared in much of that success with – Jonty Scharenberg and Alex Martini.

A booming left-foot kick – cheifly due to being born with only four digits, one of them stunted, on his right hand – McCarthy has displayed admirable perseverance toward whatever situation has been thrown at him.

Spending the bulk of his career as a running half-back, the Cabra College sports teacher has only kicked four goals in his League career, one of them arising against Norwood from long range in Round 13.

But easily is most memorable is the sensational run-and-receive effort from Glenelg’s defensive arc in 2023 (see clip below), which also happened to be his 50th Hostplus SANFL League game.