Sydney Swans defender Paddy McCartin will sit out the remainder of the AFL season as he continues to recover from ongoing concussion symptoms.

McCartin has been working with club medical staff and external specialists since suffering concussion in the club’s Round 4 match against Port Adelaide.  The injury was the first significant incident the 27-year-old experienced since his return to senior football in 2021.

Whilst McCartin has been making progress in his recovery and commenced some light exercise, he is still experiencing mild symptoms and is yet to make a full recovery.

The club has transferred the key defender to the club’s inactive list as he continues to focus on his overall recovery.

Executive GM – Football, Charlie Gardiner, said McCartin and the club came to the decision together.

“In discussions with Paddy, our medical team and external specialists, we all felt the decision to sit out the remainder of the season was the right one to allow Paddy to focus on making a successful return to full health,” Gardiner said.

“We have adopted a very cautious approach to Paddy’s recovery timeline to this point and while Paddy has made progress – he has resumed some light exercise and is involved day-to-day at the club – he continues to experience some mild symptoms and his focus remains centred around becoming symptom free.

“Paddy is a very popular figure at our club, and we are all behind him in his recovery. He will be given all the time and support he needs and will continue to work with our medical team and external specialists over the coming months, with his overall health and wellbeing our number one priority.”