Sydney star Paddy McCartin is facing another critical career juncture following another horrifying head knock in the opening stages of the first quarter against Port Adelaide at the SCG.
The key defender was contesting a loose ball on the wing against Port Adelaide’s Todd Marshall where he appeared to cop a stray boot to the face.
The ball bobbled along the boundary line and the two players continued contesting the ball before it was cleared. McCartin suddenly felt the impact all at once and stayed down reaching for his head.
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“He doesn’t look good at the moment” Premiership Swan Jude Bolton said on Channel 7.
“It might be worse than that (just a poke in the eye” Geelong Premiership captain Cameron Ling added on commentary.
Play was stopped as McCartin was assisted from the ground flanked by Swans trainers on either side as he was struggling to stay upright.
Swans general manager of football Charlie Gardiner told Channel Seven that McCartin was “feeling OK” in an update on Saturday night.
“He’s alert and talking, obviously disappointed to be out of the game and everyone is concerned about him, but he’s feeling OK and recovering well,” he said.
“We’ll take every precaution with him and it’s very early but hopefully he recovers from it and gets back out there.”
Saturday’s developments were particularly worrying given his lengthy concussion history. McCartin had previously suffered nine in his career – including eight while at St Kilda – previously taking time away from the game as a result.
The 26-year-old returned to football last season for the Swans, playing 24 games in their march to the Grand Final.
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