McGrath had a successful career in the VFL Under 19s when he won the Morrish Medal in 1988 as the best player in that competition.
That same year under coach Denis Pagan, McGrath, along with future adversary, Wayne Carey, would play in North Melbourne's Under 19s Premiership team.
Despite the unimpressive start by McGrath, he found a role as a Centre half-back and played 26 games for the season, including in the Grand Final loss against West Coast.
He also finished second to Ken Hinkley in the club's best and fairest award, the Carji Greeves Medal.
[2][3] McGrath and his team mates were staying at a hotel only 400 metres away from the Sari Club,[3] the scene of the bombings, and they had spent the entire week partying at the Sari Club,[3] but on the night of the attacks, which was the final night of their trip, they decided to hang out at their hotel instead.