Port Adelaide’s come-from-behind victory at the SCG on Saturday night was overshadowed by another worrying concussion suffered by Swans key defender Paddy McCartin which raised more question about his playing future.
Port hung on for a two-point victory when a shot from Sydney’s Olli Florent failed to make the distance after the siren just minutes after they had snatched the lead from the Swans.
McCartin was subbed out of game just minutes into the match with what was believed to be his tenth concussion, and his second in as many seasons since returning to football with the Swans.
Younger brother and fellow key defender Tom was also ruled out with concussion during the second quarter leaving the Swans seriously undermanned.
“Swans football manager Charlie Gardiner told broadcasters during the match that Paddy McCartin was feeling “OK”.
“He’s alert and talking. He’s obviously disappointed to be out of the game,” Gardiner said. “We’re very concerned about him, but he’s feeling OK and recovering well. We’ll take every precaution with him. It’s very early, but hopefully he recovers from it and gets back out there (in the coming weeks).”
The Swans’ Paddy McCartin receives attention from a trainer after suffering another concussion.Credit: Getty Images
Paddy McCartin was concussed during what seemed an innocuous scramble with Port Adelaide’s Todd Marshall as both players lay on the ground attempting to gather the ball on the Members’ wing.
The Swans defender grabbed the left side of his head after it made contact with the ground and lay rolling from side to side until helped up by trainers and supported from the ground. He was subbed out immediately and replaced by sub Robbie Fox.
The No.1 draft choice with St Kilda in 2014, Paddy McCartin suffered eight concussions during five years at the club with the last of those concussions, in March 2019, upending 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,” Paddy McCartin told The Herald and The Age during May last year after returning from his ninth concussion. “I got really bad headaches and felt really sick. I couldn’t do anything without feeling really shit.”
Olli Florent had the chance to win the game for the Swans but failed to make the distance after the siren.Credit: Getty
Saturday night’s result leaves the Swans and Port Adelaide with two wins apiece from four matches.
In a high-pressure match of modest continuity it was no surprise that Port started to work their way back into the game as the Swans struggled to balance their defence.
The Swans were 25 points in front 13 minutes into the second term before Port kicked their first goal, but the visitors were in front before half-time, with four consecutive goals.
Scores were level at half-time after Swans co-captain Luke Parker missed a straightforward shot, and level again during the third term until the 22-minute mark when Logan McDonald took a finely judged mark to boot his second.
The Swans were sparked by dynamic midfielder Chad Warner, who once again stood up when it mattered, just as he did when the Swans were badly beaten in last year’s grand final.
Former Swans defender Aliir Aliir was exceptional in defence for Port, frustrating Sydney’s attacks and keeping Lance Franklin goalless.
VOTES
Chad Warner (Swans) 8
Aliir Aliir (Port Adelaide) 8
Olli Florent (Swans) 7
Zak Butters (Port) 7
Luke Parker (Swans) 7
BEST: Swans: Warner, Florent, Parker, Mills, Lloyd, Rampe. Port Adelaide: Aliir, Butters, Duursma, Boak, Wines, Rozee.
