St Kilda forward Patrick McCartin to check his blood levels up to 16 times a game to combat diabetes

ST KILDA’s No. 1 draft pick Paddy McCartin says he will need to check his blood levels up to 16 times a game to help combat his diabetes.

St Kilda Intra-Club Paddy McCartin Picture:Wayne Ludbey

ST KILDA’s No. 1 draft pick Paddy McCartin says he will need to check his blood levels up to 16 times a game to help combat his diabetes.

McCartin has diligently managed his type one diabetes throughout his junior career as a strong-marking forward from Geelong Falcons.

The 18-year-old, who is line to make an early-season AFL debut, said he checked his diabetes about eight times a game in under 18s, including the breaks in between quarters.

But the star teen said he would have to increase the number of checks to 15 or 16 throughout the first year of his AFL career.

“Most of the time it’s really good, but it’s just for that peace of mind that I know I’m going to be able to go out there and do everything I can,” McCartin said.

“I’m pretty lucky, the dietitian at the club is a diabetic as well, so she’s a bit of a sounding board for me.”

The 194cm goalkicker, who has been likened to Hawthorn superstar Jarryd Roughead, said he hoped to make his debut against Brisbane Lions on Saturday afternoon in Queensland in St Kilda’s NAB Challenge opener.

McCartin impressed in the Saints’ intra-club match on Saturday morning in Seaford, kicking one goal from a tight-angled set shot.

“I’ve done three months pre-season, so I think that I’ve done everything I can so far, haven’t really missed a beat apart from the skin infection that I had,” he said.

“So, I’ve done everything I needed to and on the weekend I felt like I was able to move all right.”