Swans call for calm on Paddy McCartin as Corey Warner set for debut

The younger brother of a Sydney star has earned an AFL debut as the Swans look after concussed defender Paddy McCartin.

Corey Warner will make his debut alongside brother Chad for the Swans against Richmond on Friday night. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sydney coach John Longmire has called for an end to “not healthy” speculation over Paddy McCartin’s future as the Swans prepare to unveil a debutant on Friday night.

Corey Warner, the younger brother of Swans star Chad, will play his first AFL game against the Tigers at the Adelaide Oval after impressing Longmire with his hard running and improved physicality early this season.

The 19-year-old’s debut is a bright spot amid a troubling last few days for the Swans, who are supporting key defender Paddy McCartin as he recovers from the 10th concussion of his career sustained against the Power on Saturday night.

Longmire said McCartin still had lingering symptoms but was feeling “pretty well” as he came into the club on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“He’s still got some symptoms but he’s generally feeling okay, so at the moment he’s just resting and recovering,” Longmire said.

Paddy McCartin during Sydney Swans training Photo by Phil Hillyard

The Swans coach said there had been no discussions between the club and McCartin over his playing future since the game.

“We haven’t had those discussions, the advice that we’ve had is just to focus on his recovery,” he said.

“To go thinking any further than that is just a bit of a step too far.

“The focus of everyone at the football club, his family and Paddy is just to make sure that he recovers and starts feeling well as soon as he can.”

Longmire said he was “concerned” by the visible effect the head knock had on McCartin, but urged people to avoid speculating on the future of the 26-year-old while experts worked with him and his family behind the scenes.

“I was obviously not far away from (the incident), I was concerned. We’ll work through it, and make sure we get the facts,” he said.

“Paddy is a key part of this, and his family – there are people behind this, there’s an expert team involved that have been involved all the way along, the last three years … hopefully there’s not too much speculation about the ‘what ifs’ because that’s not healthy for him either.”

With McCartin’s brother Tom also in the concussion protocols, the Swans are in need of key defensive reinforcements, but Longmire revealed Will Gould and Aaron Francis both failed to complete the Swans reserves’ full training session on the weekend, with Gould coming from the track with a sore foot and Bombers recruit Francis experiencing hamstring tightness.

“Both weren’t able to complete the session, so they did some training (on Wednesday) – we’ll see what happens with those guys this week,” Longmire said.

Corey Warner, alongside brother Chad, calls his mum to tell her the good news, that he will make his debut this weekend.

Moments that Matter, presented by @Fiservpic.twitter.com/BlFYMB71Op

— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) April 12, 2023

He praised Corey Warner’s work on his conditioning over the summer, which he said had helped him force his way into the senior side.

The 182cm outside midfielder had 22 disposals, eight marks and five tackles in the Swans’ most recent VFL match on April 2.

“That’s exciting for him to get a taste and run out there with his brother Chad, and hopefully we can come home with a really strong result,” Longmire said.

“His running capacity has always been at a really high level. He’s got a great mix of speed and endurance, he’s got bigger and stronger over the summer – that was really noticeable when he came back.”

Longmire said the Swans hoped Lance Franklin would train next week and prove his fitness for round 6 after he was ruled out of the Tigers clash with knee soreness.

“Lance was a little bit sore on the inside of his knee. We’ll see how he is for next week, the main thing is for him to get himself right over the next few days,” he said.

Originally published as Swans call for calm on Paddy McCartin as Corey Warner set for debut