By Malcolm Conn
Lucky is a word Paddy McCartin uses a lot, which highlights a sunny demeanour for someone who has been through such dark times.
McCartin, a key defensive member of the Sydney Swans, fits into the category of modern medical miracle for making a successful return to the AFL three years after it appeared repeated head knocks had ruined a promising career.
During his five years playing at St Kilda, he suffered eight concussions.
He was consistently told there was no pattern to the concussions, that he was just unlucky, and he would be able to return to play, but the last of those eight concussions, in March 2019, upended his life for a year.
“I struggled to do basic stuff like going out of the house, going for a coffee or going for a drive,” McCartin told The Herald & The Age. “I got really bad headaches and felt really sick. I couldn’t do anything without feeling really shit.”
He ended up in Chicago, where he spent a week with world-leading concussion specialists using cutting-edge technology.
Paddy McCartin at the SCGCredit: Rhett Wyman/SMH
“I had a convergence spasm with my eyes. My eyes would cross and I couldn’t control it. I had to rewire my brain and teach my eyes to stop doing that. It was pretty tedious, to be honest.”
After months of rewiring, McCartin began to exercise again in 2020 and fled Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdown to spend time with younger brother Tom in Sydney, where Paddy began training with the Swans’ academy team.
This season, he and Tom have become a key defensive duo for the Swans, who will be aiming to get back on the winners list against Essendon at the SCG on Saturday night after successive losses.
“If Tom wasn’t here I wouldn’t have come,” McCartin said. “I’m bloody glad I came up last year. It’s a good place to live.”
Last year he played with the Swans’ VFL team before making the senior list this season, converting his mindset from the No.1 draft choice who was going to replace Nick Riewoldt as St Kilda’s golden forward to a key defender.
This season is the first time the brothers have played together and their understanding under pressure is developing into something special for the Swans.
“If you speak to a lot of footy teams, or any organisation really, the synergy between people and having that understanding of each other and how each other work and operate in any workplace is pretty important,” McCartin said.
“We just go out there and do what we do knowing each other well. We know how to talk to each other and know what each other do and don’t like. That’s how we play. It’s been pretty easy mate really, to be honest.”
For all the great football McCartin has played this season, his defining image is a shot in the dressing rooms from behind of a forlorn footballer, arms folded across his forehead, leaning into the lockers.
Paddy McCartin in the Sydney rooms after being subbed out with concussion.Credit: Fox Footy
He had just been ruled out of Sydney’s Anzac Day clash against Hawthorn in Launceston after receiving an accidental knee to the head and failing a concussion test moments before three-quarter-time.
Given his unfortunate history at St Kilda, there was an understandable fear that his ninth concussion may have grave long-term consequences.
McCartin claims he was simply displaying the disappointment of being subbed out of the match knowing he would also miss the following game due to the AFL’s concussion protocols.
“I felt fine,” he said. “Obviously with the docs we just went through a few things and they probably just thought I was on the edge and didn’t want to risk it, which is completely fine. I understand that.
“I was ready to go out there and play and I couldn’t do it. I feel pretty lucky really that I felt so good and was able to come back last weekend.
“I’ve done so much work to get back. I hate missing footy. I’ve always hated missing footy, and I’ve had to miss it for a long time. I don’t want to miss anything.”
McCartin does not want to be held up as the poster boy of concussion but he is keen to help others who are going through similar traumatic experiences.
He has now reached across the sporting divide to support Will Pucovski as the young Victorian cricketer continues his extended battle with concussion.
“I messaged Will last year when he came back after one of them and just checked in to make sure he was alright,” McCartin said.
Will Pucovski batting for VictoriaCredit: Getty Images
Their link is Emma Murray, a qualified psychotherapist who was “high-performance mind coach” at St Kilda during McCartin’s time there from 2015 to 2019.
“She’s a ripper,” McCartin said. “She does a bit of mindset stuff and she’s got a really good relationship with Will as well.
“I reached out through that mutual connection and just checked in. It’s bloody tough for him. He’s had a shocking run.
“He’s an absolute star so hopefully he can put it behind him and he can get back and play some good cricket like everyone knows he can.”
While offering support, McCartin was wary about dishing out advice.
“Every situation is very unique and different. That’s the thing about concussion. No two concussions are the same. I’m always happy to help and be a sort of a rock for people who are going through things similar to what I have and need a hand with it or just want to have a chat because I know it can be quite challenging and difficult at times and quite isolating.
“But Will’s a champion, he will be absolutely fine. I’ve got no doubt about that.”
On recent evidence that certainly seems to be the case, with Pucovski returning at the end of another difficult and dramatic season to play last month’s Sheffield Shield final against Western Australia, scoring a polished 59 opening the batting.
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