Fremantle have rallied around forward Jack Anthony as the former Collingwood player deals with the death of friend and former teammate John McCarthy.

McCarthy and Anthony played together at Collingwood before moving interstate to play for Port Adelaide and Fremantle respectively. After missing selection in the club's premiership team, the pair played VFL football together and were close friends.

Dockers defender Michael Johnson said Anthony had taken the news hard. He trained yesterday and Johnson said the players were doing everything to help him through a difficult week. "I spoke to Jack yesterday, he was a bit down," Johnson said. "It's a sad time for Port Adelaide and John's family and the whole AFL community."

McCarthy had connections to several WA players. West Coast's Brad Dick left Collingwood last year and Eagles defender Mitch Brown's brother Nathan still plays for the club. Several WAFL players, including Claremont's Paul Medhurst, also played for Collingwood alongside McCarthy.