'I'm a shell of a person that I was': St Kilda star reveals brutal impact of concussions
Injured St Kilda star Paddy McCartin has revealed the heartbreaking impact of repeated concussions, saying the latest has left him "a shell of a person" he once was.
The former No.1 draft pick spoke candidly to Triple M in a 15-minute interview that laid bare the brutal repercussions of the incident that caused him to be placed on the Saints' inactive list.
McCartin, who also deals with type 1 diabetes, was concussed during the Saints' JLT Series clash against the Western Bulldogs, and spent the night in hospital after the incident.
"It's been a tough few months," he said.
"I haven't really done a whole heap, I haven't been doing a lot of anything, really, and that's probably been the hardest part.
The former No.1 pick suffered his latest concussion in a pre-season clash against the Western Bulldogs Getty
"I've sort of lost my footy identity a little bit, but then also my identity as a person as well.
"I can't do staff - I can't go to the supermarket when it's busy or go to a cafe with my girlfriend, or drive my car.
"There's no real time frames on it, so I could be better next week, in a year, six months, I don't know."
The problem for both the Saints and McCartin is that months after the incident, the symptoms haven't gone away, putting his AFL future in doubt.
"I'm a shell of a person that I was, really. I'm completely different," he said.
McCartin's injuries have meant that he can spend limited time around the club AAP
"It's gone from one day when I was playing, to within 10 seconds being different. I just can't do basic things.
"I have real light sensitivity, and I get really bad headaches. They're common symptoms with concussion but generally they wear off by now, so it's lasting a bit longer than usual."
With no timetable on McCartin's return, placing him on the club's inactive list gives the Saints an opportunity to sign a replacement via Monday's mid-season draft.
Despite McCartin's continuing health issues, the Saints have vehemently denied that he will be forced into retirement due to concussions.
