St Kilda forward Paddy McCartin wants to play again after repeated head knocks
Paddy McCartin wants to return to football next year, declaring he hopes to reignite his AFL career after an eighth concussion which has ruled him out for 2020.
St Kilda
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Former No. 1 draft pick Paddy McCartin wants to return to football next year, following a “life zapping” battle with repeat concussions.
McCartin made the bold declaration on Wednesday night with a heartfelt Instagram post.
St Kilda agreed to delist McCartin last year after the spearhead suffered an eighth concussion since 2014, as part of a plan to put his career on hold until 2021.
In an emotion-charged interview on Melbourne radio last year, McCartin was unable to put a definitive timeline on if and when he would be able to live a normal life.
On Wednesday night, McCartin gave the strongest indication yet he could play again next year.
“Concussions are life zapping, and I’m super lucky to have had support the whole way through it all,” McCartin posted.
“At the moment I’m back running, training and doing everything I was before, back to living a normal life … can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I can’t wait to be back playing next year.”
Former teammates David Armitage, Tom Hickey, Josh Bruce, Jack Newnes and Australian Boomers star Jock Landale were among the first interact with McCartin’s post, along with the 23 year-old’s girlfriend, Lucy Brownless, the daughter of Geelong icon Billy.
“A year ago today, I got concussed for the 8th time in my career,”
McCartin wrote under a picture of himself clutching his head on the Saints interchange bench.
“I’ve noticed recently there’s been a fair bit of talk about concussion, and many people have been asking me questions … although it’s really shit and makes me sad to see people struggling, the more conversations about this stuff the better.
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“Concussions can be really isolating, people can’t work, socialise or even leave the house and there was many times last year when explaining how I felt seemed like a different language.
“If anyone is going through concussion or head injury and wants to chat, flick me a message on insta.”
Retired Western Bulldogs premiership star Liam Picken told his concussion story in the Herald Sun last week.
It came just days after revelations the late Geelong ruckman Graham “Polly” Farmer was the first Australian rules footballer to be diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
As a delisted free agent, McCartin could be signed by any club next year, should the emerging forward continue to make good progress.
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Originally published as St Kilda forward Paddy McCartin wants to play again after repeated head knocks