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.
(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.
“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.”
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The whole point, Christy, is that he won't need to wear the helmet. He won't get the headaches. That's the whole gist of his comments. He can easily get game fit again. Everyone that age can.
Luke
Guest
@Paul D How did St Kilda end up failing? They supported him, and gave him the opportunity to the US to get best concussion treatment in the world... and now that he’s on the mend and all his symptoms are gone. Now he wants to come back and play the sport he loves at the top level... if anything they’ve succeeded in helping Paddy make a comeback.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
When you say all this it's crazy that he wants to come back. I get that he has unfinished business in football, but maybe some things have to remain unfinished. Saints redrafting him would be another Morabito moment. I get that they've got big sunk costs in the McCartin project, having dumped pick 1 on him but that's typical of St Kilda, even when they follow best practice and all the recommended advice they still wind up failing.
christy olsen
Roar Rookie
I don't see any way McCartin gets back to AFL level. He was never in great shape, due partly to diabetes, and now he's been out of full training for a long time. It's unlikely he could ever get fit enough. And if he does return to training, one knock on the head will finish him. Remember, he was not sitting out as a precaution. His injuries were so bad that he was actually unable to go through the normal routines of life. He would sit for hours with headaches and couldn't watch TV and such because the lights/movement hurt his brain. Even with the padded head protector, it would probably be foolish for him to risk getting another concussion. So, honestly, as sad as it may be, I don't get why he's still trying or the Saints are still considering him. If Amed Saad couldn't come back from a year off, there's no way McCartin will.