AFL: Ex-Saint Paddy McCartin’s 1351 days in AFL exile set to end on Saturday when he debuts for Sydney Swans

Paddy McCartin’s career once looked over but the former Saint is set to run out for the Swans in Sydney Derby XXIII

Paddy McCartin’s time in AFL exile will officially end on Saturday, when he plays his first game for the Swans. Picture: Michael Klein

Reborn Swan Paddy McCartin’s journey back from football oblivion is only days away.

After sidestepping questions in recent weeks about whether McCartin was a round 1 lock, Sydney coach John Longmire confirmed on Tuesday he needed only to negotiate training to play.

The ex-Saint’s triumphant return in Sydney Derby XXIII on Saturday – in what will be his first AFL appearance in 1351 days – will be a heartwarming story after double-digit concussions.

McCartin, who was the AFL’s No.1 draft pick in 2014, breathed new life into his football career last year with a switch from the forward line to defence for the Swans’ VFL team.

He has impressed, in particular, with his intercept marking in the pre-season and is set to play alongside his younger brother Tom and All-Australian Dane Rampe.

“I fully appreciate the fact that it is a good story, there’s no question about that – he’s been through some real challenges,” Longmire said.

Paddy McCartin will make his AFL debut for Sydney on Saturday. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“It is a great story, but importantly, he’s earned the opportunity to be able to play.”

McCartin admitted in a harrowing radio interview three years ago that those repeated brain injuries – some of them innocuous hits – left him “a shell of a person that I was”.

But his decision to take a year off football in 2020, which ended up being Covid-impacted, anyway, paved the way for him to play at the top level again.

Sydney invited McCartin to train with its AFL squad this past summer and officially signed him in January, with Longmire adamant he would only improve the longer he played in defence.

“Paddy’s getting used to a new position – he hadn’t played there before – so he’s still learning that role,” Longmire said.

Repeat concussions jeopardised Paddy McCartin’s football career. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s not only finding out what it’s like to play in a new team and a new club, but also a new position.

“It’s important to get your spine right and Tommy’s been a really good player for us, both forward and back, since he’s come into the team.

“At a young age, he’s certainly learning the ropes down back.

“The ability to be able to have players that can compete hard, can mark (the ball) and, certainly in Paddy’s case, can kick it, certainly helps.”

McCartin kicked 34 goals in 35 games for St Kilda between 2015 and 2018.

Originally published as AFL: Ex-Saint Paddy McCartin’s 1351 days in AFL exile set to end on Saturday when he debuts for Sydney Swans