PADDY WHACK

McCartin determined to push past run of head knocks

ST KILDA forward Paddy McCartin has vowed not to change his aggressive attack on the ball, despite being ruled out after a sixth concussion since 2014.

In the latest setback for the luckless Saint, McCartin, right, has been told he won’t be able to play for at least three more weeks, with no definitive time frame on his return.

The Saints won’t take any risks with the 2014 No.1 draft selection given his history, though he will continue to train in non-contact drills while having tests.

He has recovered from symptoms relating to his latest head knock — suffered in the VFL late last month — but recent tests show he has not yet returned to “baseline levels”.

McCartin was frustrated, but under- stood the approach was for his longterm welfare.

“It’s something that’s left to specialists and that’s 100 per cent right with me, because [in] 10, 20 years down the track, I’ll need my brain.”

“I’m going to have a couple more weeks off.

“There’s a few things, just baseline testing, where I’m not quite 100 per cent.

“With the head stuff, it’s pretty important that that’s all 100 per cent spot on.”

McCartin said he would not alter his approach to the game.

“It’s something I’ve been doing for 15 years so it will be hard to change,” McCartin said.

But it is understood he may look at changing parts of his technique.

St Kilda general manager of football performance Jamie Cox said McCartin, 21, would be assessed again over the next two to three weeks.

McCartin has played 22 of a possible 59 games since he was drafted, including five this year.

He has been buoyed by medical advice that his concussions had more to do with bad luck than anything else.

“They’ve sort of been separate incidents each time,” he said. “I don’t feel like I’m more prone to them.

“I’ve just put my head in the wrong spot a couple of times and that’s been the price I’ve paid.”

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