MAC BACKED
Big future predicted for concussed McCartin
PADDY McCartin’s former Geelong Falcons coach Andy Allthorpe is confident the 21-year-old can fulfil his potential at AFL level.
The former No.1 draft pick has been ruled out indefinitely as he continues to recover from his sixth concussion since 2014.
Allthorpe has backed McCartin (pictured) to return to the St Kilda side before the end of the season as fears about his playing future spread across the footy world yesterday.
“He’s got the best guys around him to give him the right information on the injury he’s had,” Allthorpe said. “He’s been through a lot as it is.
“As he said, he’s 95 per cent there, the experts in that area are telling him another two or three weeks will get him that 5 per cent back.
“So why would you risk your head if it’s only two or three weeks?
“It sounds like it’s obviously the common-sense approach with concussion at the minute and it sounds like he’s got all the information and is pretty clear-minded on the direction he’s heading with it.”
Allthorpe said he had no concerns about McCartin’s long-term health but would reach out to him.
“Listening to him and when I’ve spoken to him, I’ve got no concerns at all. I’m sure he’ll be getting the best advice possible,” he said.
“He plays the ball and if it’s there to be won he’ll go for it, fully committed to it. It’s just the way he goes about his footy.
“As he said, he’s got himself in a couple of awkward positions and the head has got contact from an opposition player . . . he’s had a pretty rough run. Hopefully some luck is around the corner.
“I texted him the other day and I’ll probably text him today again and make sure he’s all good, but knowing a guy like Paddy, he’s a pretty popular guy and will have a lot of people in his corner, he’ll probably be getting texts from everyone.”
Allthorpe said St Kilda had made the right decision in not rushing McCartin’s return.
“Because it’s the head and the brain, there’s always going to be those concerns, and it’s such an important part of the body,” Allthorpe said.
McCartin, who has only managed five senior games this season, said he needed to pass some further tests before being available to play.
“I’m going have a few more weeks off and reassess then, but I’m feeling really good,” he said.
“I don’t have any symptoms, in terms of showing physical symptoms, or feeling sick or having headaches, I’m fine.
“There is a lot of testing with this stuff, as there should be, and there are a few of those things that I haven’t ticked off yet.”
McCartin was disappointed at missing the Saints’ surge into the top eight but was hopeful he would be back to play finals if they held their position.
“A couple of weeks ago I said I felt like we could get on a roll and I could see it coming,” he said.
“I think everyone here felt like that and it’s happened.
“Hopefully it’s only a couple of weeks and I’m back. There’s still a lot of footy to go.”
Geelong Falcons talent manager Mick Turner said he just wanted to see some luck fall McCartin’s way.
“We’re pretty close to the family, mate. I see his brother runs water for the Falcons and obviously Tom’s playing for us, and I see mum and dad all the time,” Turner said.
“Paddy’s just got to have a decent run at it.”
Turner said there was still plenty of time on McCartin’s side.
“Tom Hawkins took three or four years to get going and Paddy’s probably been hindered more than Tom,” Turner said.