SNAPPY TOM
McCARTIN QUICK TO FIND HIS FEET AS SWANS
WHEN Tom McCartin’s name was called at November’s AFL draft, he was still a Year 11 student at St Joseph’s College in Geelong and the youngest player in the lottery.
Three months later, the former Geelong Falcon decided to put his Year 12 studies on hold and it is already paying off.
McCartin has been a standout among Sydney’s recruits and has impressed everybody with his footy smarts and workrate.
“He was the youngest kid in the draft last year but you wouldn’t know it the way he’s attacked his pre-season,” Swans coach John Longmire said.
“He’s been fantastic and has had some great players to play on.
“He’s still only young, he’s only just turned 18 and is still learning the game and we have to be mindful of that.
“He’s played on some very good players like Dane Rampe who’s been full of praise for the way he attacks it, he goes really hard and his endurance is really high for a big bloke and he’s aggressive.”
The teenager was presented with Lewis Robert-Thomson’s No. 30 jersey on Monday night.
His rapid progress has surprised many, especially after missing the entire 2016 season with a back injury.
“I missed about 15 months,” McCartin said.
“It was the whole pre-season of footy in 2015-16 and the following year, which was my bottom-age year at the Falcons.
“It hasn’t been an issue at all this pre-season. I’ve kept on top of it by doing strengthening exercises and that helps.”
The younger brother of St Kilda No. 1 draft pick Paddy McCartin, he plays with a similar style and can cover the ground well.
He impressed in AFLX last week and will look to gain extra game time tomorrow night against GWS Giants at Henson Park. Another good performance could have him in contention for an early call-up.
“I haven’t really thought about Round 1,” McCartin said.
“I just want to take it game by game and session by session and get better.
“If I can get a game that’s great but I’ll just keep working hard.
“My goal going into the pre-season was to put my head down and have a massive crack at it.
“It’s been a big step up from what I’m used to but I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve only missed a couple of sessions which I was really happy about. I’ve definitely got a lot fitter.”
Right now the second round pick — 33 overall — is looking like a bargain and his coach is very happy to have another key forward after the departure of Kurt Tippett.