St Kilda key forwards Nick Riewoldt and Paddy McCartin remain a chance to travel to Tasmania to face Hawthorn next weekend, despite both being forced to sit out the second half of Saturday’s impressive win over Collingwood due to concussion.
Following an eye-catching start to the game from both Riewoldt and McCartin, the two former No. 1 picks both copped knocks to the head just before half-time.
Riewoldt was the first to be hit after he copped a high bump from Magpies midfielder Levi Greenwood, before McCartin was the victim of his own bravery when he leapt into an oncoming pack to take a courageous grab.
Saints Coach Alan Richardson said doctors made the final call on both players, with their welfare in mind.
“Our doctors made the call that they still weren't quite happy that he [Riewoldt] was right to go," Richardson told reporters following the Saints’ 29-point win.
"…Our doctors will always have the final say and a player's welfare is paramount.”
Richardson refused to rule the pair out of next weekend’s trip to the apple isle, but indicated it was too early to determine their availability.
“It’s a bit too early to tell. The doctors will continue to work through those tests. If they’re right we’ll play them. If not they won’t,” he said.
Despite only playing 41 per cent of the game, Richardson said McCartin’s performance was the finest of his eight game career. The spearhead looked ominous in the first-half, booting 1.2 and setting up another goal to be a lively option inside 50.
“I thought Paddy McCartin, it was probably as good as he’s played for our club in his short time – it’s what he’s ninth or tenth game?” he said.”
Running defender Dylan Roberton was the Saints other casualty, with the 24-year-old colliding with Sean Dempster in the final quarter.
Richardson ruled the former Docker out of next weekend’s trip to Tasmania, suggesting the backman might be sidelined for at least a fortnight.
“Robbo will miss a bit. (It was) a bit of friendly fire. He went back with the flight of the footy, Dempster coming the other way and they locked legs,” he said.
“So he’s given his medial a reasonable tweak. So the early diagnosis, and a stress that it is early, is he’ll miss a couple of weeks.”
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