St Kilda Coach Alan Richardson says young key forward Paddy McCartin is available for senior selection this weekend after pulling up well from his return game in the VFL on Sunday.

After missing three games due to his latest concussion, McCartin played a full game against Williamstown, finding touch in the second half, and could feature in the final month of the season.

Richardson confirmed that there were no concerns from a concussion perspective and he is keen for the budding spearhead to return if his form warrants selection.

“Paddy went back and played VFL footy, he had a reasonable game. It was reasonably tough conditions down at Sandy, which is always a bit of a challenge for forwards. We were reasonably happy with Paddy.

“(There were) certainly no issues with respect to his concussion. He was running strongly and he pulled up really well.

For a great read or Father’s Day gift, click here to purchase the 1966 Premiership book

“It will just be a form issue really now, whether we think he’s right to come back into the team.

“We know when he’s up and going he certainly makes us a better team. So we’re keen to get him in, it might be this week but we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Richardson quashed any notion of forcing McCartin to sit out the remainder of the season, indicating that it was not only important for the 20-year-old to play for his own confidence but also for the team’s progress.

“We think it’s important for him (to play senior football again this year), and important for us,” Richardson said.

“We like it when we have the three younger blokes playing together with [Josh] Bruce and [Tim] Membrey and Paddy and ‘Roo’ [Nick Riewoldt] shifting between midfield and forward.

“We think that’s what we’re going to look like for a fair while going forward as long as they earn their spots and maintain their form, but we like that setup.”

Don't miss out on your chance to enjoy the Saints Premier Lounge for the final time this year!