AFL 2023: Neurologist calls for more action on concussion after Paddy McCartin retirement

A leading doctor says Paddy McCartin’s difficult call is another urgent reminder the AFL needs to do more to deal with the trauma of repeated head knocks.

Paddy McCartin has retired after repeated concussions. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A leading neurologist has called on the AFL to update its protocols around concussion to include reference to CTE following the retirement of Paddy McCartin.

The Swans defender called time on his AFL career for a second time on Monday after suffering his 10th concussion earlier this season.

The 27-year-old consulted with medical professionals in the past month and was advised by the independent AFL medical concussion panel to stop participating in contact sports.

Dr Rowena Mobbs, director of the Australia CTE Biobank, says McCartin’s retirement should be the latest wake-up call for the competition and that it needs to do more to deal with the trauma associated with repeated head knocks.

“Concussion is one issue, but its dark cousin, CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), which is the result of subconcussive head injuries, should be named and targeted by the AFL as a sign of respect to players like Paddy, who are at risk,” Mobbs said.

“The AFL protocols have never gone far enough in this regard. The silence is deafening.”

Paddy McCartin has still been a figure at Swans training but officially confirmed his retirement on Monday. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The AFL is already bracing itself for a class action from former players who had suffered concussion-related injuries.

More than 100 players have reportedly joined the action, led by Geelong premiership player Max Rooke, who was named as the lead plaintiff.

Other players involved in the action could include legendary goalkicker Gary Ablett Sr, premiership Bulldog Liam Picken and ex-Tiger Ty Zantuck.

McCartin’s decision to retire due to concussion at the prime of his career is one of the more high-profile examples seen in Australian sport.

The former No.1 draft pick played 63 AFL games since making his debut in 2015 for St Kilda and was a key pillar in the Swans team that made it to last year’s grand final.

As a result, he signed a two-year contract extension and clearly had his sights set on a lot of footy ahead of him.

Paddy McCartin (right) and his brother Tom both re-signed with the Swans last year. Picture: Phil Hillyard

However, an innocuous head knock earlier this season against Port Adelaide led to the 10th concussion of his career and his second in two years at the Swans.

It’s a decision that Mobbs believes should be celebrated, with McCartin making the tough decision to prioritise his own health over the career he loves.

“Players like Paddy are under increasing pressure to weigh up their safety in the sports they adore,” Mobbs said.

“Paddy deserves all credit for putting his brain first, just like other players with bodily injuries accept that they are no longer fit to play.

“He is a role model on and off the field for this, and often the decision is a difficult one held between a player and their independent medical team.”