AFL 2022: Sydney recruit Paddy McCartin granted permission to use mobile phone for diabetes

In a bizarre moment, new Swans recruit Paddy McCartin was caught using a phone on-field. But he has special permission from the AFL. Here’s why.

The AFL has granted Paddy McCartin special permission to use a mobile phone during matches after a technological breakthrough that allows the diabetic to measure his blood sugar levels through an app.

In what appeared to be a bizarre moment on Friday night, the reborn defender was pictured on Channel 7 using a phone while on the field during the second quarter of the win against Geelong at the SCG.

A Swans trainer ran the device out to McCartin after Geelong’s Bradley Close booted a goal, with McCartin using the phone for about 10 seconds before handing it back and remaining on the field.

It’s understood McCartin wears a sensor patch that communicates with an app that the former No.1 draft pick uses to check his blood sugar levels more than 10 times each day.

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Swans defender Paddy McCartin using a mobile phone for medical purposes during an AFL match. Picture: Channel Seven

AFL integrity rules strictly prohibit the use of mobile phones in match day restricted areas, with the exception of 10 “authorised device users” plus media staff.

Last year Collingwood was fined $20,000 for breaching AFL Rule 30 when Jordan De Goey accessed the storage case and retrieved two phones, handing one to fellow injured star Jeremy Howe.

But the league confirmed to News Corp that McCartin, one of the feel-good stories of 2022, had received an exemption.

“The AFL confirms Sydney Swans player Paddy McCartin is permitted to use a mobile phone diabetes app during matches for medical purposes only as it is required to monitor his blood sugar levels,” a spokesperson said.

In recent years diabetic AFL players have chad to come to the interchange bench to measure their blood sugar levels using a glucometer machine.

They would have to prick their finger with a needle to draw blood for the machine to read in a process that would take a couple of minutes.

They would usually do that at every break and every rotation.

McCartin’s revolutionary diabetes management plan means he can monitor his levels without leaving the field.

McCartin polled coaches votes after ringing in five intercept marks in the first quarter.

Trainers at clubs with a diabetic player usually carry lollies such as Jellybeans to run out in the event a diabetic player’s blood sugar levels drop.

McCartin, 25, will play his first AFL match in Melbourne in four years on Thursday night when the undefeated Swans take on the winless Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.

Paddy and brother Tom McCartin have formed a heartwarming partnership as intercepting weapons in defence this season.

They each polled two coaches votes in round 2, with Paddy clunking five intercept marks in the first quarter to the frustration of the Cats.

McCartin appears to finally be blossoming after five luckless years at St Kilda where eight concussions forced him off the list and threatened his career.

But after linking up with Sydney’s VFL team least year he was signed as a rookie and stormed into coach John Longmire’s team at the opposite end to where he was drafted with the No.1 pick back in 2014.