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A genuine key forward who thrived in her first season of senior women’s football, Sophia McCarthy kicked nine goals in 13 games for a struggling Williamstown VFLW side in 2022.

Originally from Benalla where she played with the Murray Bushrangers, McCarthy has a beautifully natural leap and fly at the ball and is a deadly contested marking threat despite her age and frame. While lacking searing pace and agility, she’s mobile for her size and position and could have the potential to play in a linking role, however is most comfortable at full-forward.

Possessing a classy kick and clean hands, she looks like she has the ability to immediately contribute at senior level but certainly has huge upside.

North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos debut: Round 1, 2022 S7

Season 7: : As one of five Round 1 debutants, McCarthy's individual career in the AFLW got off to an ideal start as she made an immediate contribution against Gold Coast.

The key forward tallied three disposals and two tackles and was also able to claim an impressive contested mark which resulted in a well-converted set shot for her first ever goal.

After making four appearances through the first five weeks of the season, McCarthy went unsighted at the top level from then onwards but showed plenty of potential as both a deep forward and a link-up player higher up the ground.

Another pre-season will do wonders for McCarthy as she looks to lock down a position in a forward line that has a promising mix of youth and experience.

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