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Forme No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin remains a chance for Sydney Swans list

Marc McGowanNCA NewsWire
Lance Franklin joined training early ahead of his 17th AFL season. Phil Hillyard
Camera IconLance Franklin joined training early ahead of his 17th AFL season. Phil Hillyard Credit: Supplied

Former No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin remains a chance to score an AFL lifeline and join his brother Tom at Sydney.

Swans coach John Longmire is so far committing only to McCartin training at the club in the pre-season and potentially signing him in the pre-season supplemental selection period.

“He’s still in the mix,” Longmire said.

“He’ll do some more training with us this year and we’ll look at him in the pre-season period and mainly to give him another opportunity to be able to show his wares.

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“We were able to see him play a little bit of footy this year (for Sydney’s VFL team) and we think he’s got the flexibility to play at both ends.

“But we’ll have to wait and see how that goes before that final decision is made.”

McCartin, who was the dux of the 2014 draft class, played 35 games and kicked 34 goals for St Kilda after being taken ahead of Demons Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw.

The 25-year-old last played at AFL level three years ago because of repeated concussions and a decision to sit out of football in 2020.

McCartin showed some promise down back in limited VFL games, in part because of a high-profile five-week ban for striking Geelong’s Aaron Black in an ugly off-the-ball incident in May.

Meanwhile, Longmire said the Swans’ playing list was in better health than usual at this time of year, with the likes of Lance Franklin, Tom Papley and Isaac Heeney making early training appearances.

Swans first day pre season 1-4 year
Camera IconLance Franklin joined training early ahead of his 17th AFL season. Phil Hillyard Credit: Supplied

Franklin will start the ninth and final season of his mega contract on 995 career goals and is primed to become just the sixth VFL/AFL footballer to reach the 1000-goal milestone.

“It will be a magnificent achievement when he gets there and in this day and age, it’s a considerable achievement,” Longmire told Sportsday radio.

“He’s a player who’s super talented and works really hard. He trained (on Monday) and trained really well and is still really enjoying his footy.

“We’ll wait and see when that moment comes, but I’m sure it’ll be a special moment for him, the football club and the fans in general – and I’m talking all fans.”

Franklin wants to play beyond next season, and Longmire said the club would manage its spearhead carefully to try to replicate his 51-goal, 18-game 2021 season.

Originally published as Forme No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin remains a chance for Sydney Swans list

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