Paddy McCartin to continue St Kilda’s rich history of helmets, while Koby Stevens ruled out

SAINTS key forward Paddy McCartin is set to wear a helmet in his return from another head knock, we’ve looked back at some of the most memorable helmets in VFL/AFL history.

Phil Narkle wore a distinctive helmet during his playing days.

ST KILDA has a rich history of helmets.

Young forward Paddy McCartin is set to continue that history on Saturday against Richmond when he makes his return from another head knock.

McCartin has been beset by concussions in his short career and will don a helmet for the first time.

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Former Saints captain Nathan Burke is perhaps the most famous helmet-wearer, donning it for much of his 300-game career.

Earlier, Phil Narkle wore the most outlandish helmet in VFL/AFL history.

The Saints midfielder - and Indigenous Team of the Century member - wore a bulky bicycle helmet decked out in the red, white and black.

Phil Narkle in 1984.

Nathan Burke in action in 1996

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said he hoped McCartin would be more confident with the added protection.

“He’ll be a different looking player in terms of the head attire,” he said.

“Nathan Burke, a former champion of our footy club, has spoken to our doctors and said that whilst the research doesn’t suggest much, the player feels a bit more confident.

“The reality is all the research suggests that it doesn’t help much, but if you were to ask Angus Brayshaw, it didn’t do him any harm.

“He trained with the helmet yesterday. It wasn’t a long session, it was a 30-minute session, but he really attacked the footy and played with some real confidence.”

While helmets have generally been worn by midfielders, McCartin won’t be the first key forward either after Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall wore a helmet while recovering from a fractured skull in 1990.

Jason Dunstall during his comeback in 1990.

The news isn’t as good for McCartin’s St Kilda teammate Koby Stevens.

The tough midfielder has been ruled out for the season with concussion.

Stevens has been sidelined since Round 2 and Richardson said he wasn’t expected to return this year.

“He won’t be back before the end of the season,” he said.

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