Ex-Saint and Kangaroo Nick Dal Santo has expressed his regret at the circumstances surrounding Paddy McCartin's extended break from footy.
It was announced over the weekend that the 23-year-old key forward, who has been sidelined since sustaining a head knock in the Saints' first preseason game this year, would sit out the entirety of next season as he attempts to overcome the lingering effects of multiple concussions.
While McCartin has not formally retired, it has since been confirmed that St Kilda has delisted him.
โWe have been working closely with Paddy, his loved ones, his doctors and his management for some time,โ St Kilda's General Manager of Football Simon Lethlean told the club's website.
โWe feel it is important for Paddy to focus solely on his physical and mental wellbeing without the pressure of returning to senior football in the 2020 season.
โThis decision gives him the best opportunity to ultimately resume his career, with the club open to re-listing Paddy should he be healthy and physically ready toย attack a pre-seasonย at the end of 2020,ย and play senior football in 2021.
โAs Paddy explained during the year, this injury has had a significant impact on his life,ย and general health and wellbeing.
โIt has been a difficult time forย him, his family, the people close to him, and for his teammates, coaches and support staff who know how hard he has worked to put himself in a position to succeed at the elite level.
โHe is a really popular member of our playing group, and we saw during the 2019 pre-season what sort of footballer he was becoming.
โWe also wish to recognise that Paddy hasย not onlyย considered what is best forย himself, but also what is best forย the clubย in coming toย this tough decision. Thisย is commendable and we thank him for that.
โThe club has also committed to assisting him with activities and pursuits of interest to him both within football and outside of football as part of his focus over the next 12 months."
Dal Santo lamented the fact McCartin's immense potential seems likely to go unfulfilled.
โWe never got to be sure about how good he is or how good he could be,โ Dal Santo toldย SEN Afternoons.
โUnfortunately, we never got to see anywhere near his best and just to compound it, St Kilda as a team wasnโt delivering the ball in any manner that any forward, especially a young key forward, would like the ball delivered.
โWe never got to see anything of what he could be.โ
McCartin has played 35 AFL games, booting 34 goals.
