Born: 19/4/1996
Height: 194cm
Weight: 95kgs
Drafted from: Geelong Falcons
Position: Key forward
Plays like: Jarryd Roughead
ST KILDA has selected power forward Patrick McCartin with the first pick of the 2014 National Draft.
McCartin is marginally taller than Nick Riewoldt, and significantly taller than the Saints two most famous forwards, Darrel Baldock and Tony Lockett.
Like Riewoldt, McCartin was born in Tasmania but moved interstate as a child, creating a name for himself as a prodigious young forward at Geelong Grammar and the Geelong Falcons.
In 2015 alone, the teenager played for four separate football teams; the AIS, Vic Country, his school and of course the Falcons.
RELATED: Get to know Paddy McCartin
While he possesses a handy burst of pace and an accurate kick for goal, McCartin’s greatest attribute is his velcro-like hands.
In this regard, he’s not too dissimilar from Geelong star Tom Hawkins, because even when he is caught out of position, his vice-like grip on the ball is rarely broken. While he’s measured, caring and down to earth off the field, he isn’t the type to hesitate if a defender is parked 20 metres in front of him.
It’s this aggressive side to McCartin’s game that has made him such a valuable commodity at junior levels. Simply standing in the goal square he has a presence which is as rare as the very talent he has.
McCartin is the Saints first number one draft pick since Brendon Goddard in 2002 and just the second top eight selection since Raphael Clarke in 2003.
While he possesses a handy burst of pace and an accurate kick for goal, McCartin’s greatest attribute is his velcro-like hands.
In this regard, he’s not too dissimilar from Geelong star Tom Hawkins, because even when he is caught out of position, his vice-like grip on the ball is rarely broken. While he’s measured, caring and down to earth off the field, he isn’t the type to hesitate if a defender is parked 20 metres in front of him.
It’s this aggressive side to McCartin’s game that has made him such a valuable commodity at junior levels. Simply standing in the goal square he has a presence which is as rare as the very talent he has.
McCartin is the Saints first number one draft pick since Brendon Goddard in 2002 and just the second top eight selection since Raphael Clarke in 2003.
Follow our number one pick and become a Saint TODAY! Click here to become a member.NO.1 DRAFT PICK PADDY MCCARTIN! Saint Paddy's day! #AFLDraft #SaintsRookie #WelcomePaddy pic.twitter.com/NEGE925NYN
— Digital Rookies (@SaintsRookie) November 27, 2014
