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Saints consider redrafting McCartin

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15th April, 2020
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St Kilda will consider recalling former number one draft pick Paddy McCartin, but only if he’s “100 per cent right” after recovering from his head injuries.

The 23-year-old has suffered eight concussions since 2014 and was delisted last year as part of a plan to put his career on hold until at least 2021.

The key forward now feels ready to return to a full training program once the coronavirus lockdown ends.

St Kilda coach Brett Ratten admits McCartin’s health is improving and he will make a decision about the player’s future when the AFL resumes.

“Because of the isolation, we haven’t seen Paddy for a while,” he told Nine’s Footy Classified.

Paddy McCartin St Kilda Saints AFL 2017

(AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)

“(McCartin’s) been hitting the marks that he has to get on his testing so everything he’s doing is really good and positive.

“We have to dig a bit further to see if he’s ready to play AFL.

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“If he is, then we’ll consider him but there needs to be more testing and our doctors need to have a look at him to make sure he’s 100 per cent right.”

An optimistic McCartin told SEN earlier this week he was in a good place following a harrowing few years.

“The doctors have told me I don’t have any greater risk than any other player on an AFL list when I go out and play footy (of) getting concussion,” he said.

Last May, the 35-gamer opened up on the horrific impact the brain injuries had had on his life.

“I haven’t really done a whole heap, I haven’t been doing a lot of anything, really, and that’s probably been the hardest part,” he told Triple M.

“I’ve sort of lost my footy identity a little bit, but then also my identity as a person as well.”

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