Sydney coach John Longmire says concussion-plagued key-position player Paddy McCartin is feeling good despite receiving a head knock that ended his AFL Anzac Day clash early.
McCartin, who has a history of concussions, was subbed out in the third quarter of his side's comeback 41-point win over Hawthorn in Launceston after copping an errant knee.
The 26-year-old cut a shattered figure in the dressing sheds after failing to pass a concussion test.
Longmire said McCartin was "fine" and "feeling good", with the doctors adopting an ultra-conservative approach.
"He was just disappointed he couldn't come back on. The (doctors) ruled him out," Longmire said.
"They just said he's feeling good but we're not going to put him back on.
"In the end, you can understand us being conservative. He was disappointed he couldn't get back on the ground."
McCartin, a former No.1 draft pick, was given an AFL lifeline by Sydney in the pre-season after being delisted by St Kilda at the end of 2019 to focus on his health.
He played just 35 games and booted 34 goals between 2015 and 2018 amid a horror run of concussions that reached a tally of eight by the 2019 pre-season.
McCartin will enter the AFL concussion protocols, meaning he'll be sidelined for at least 12 days and will miss the round seven match against Brisbane on Sunday.
The Swans posted on Twitter he was OK and the club would take "every precaution".
McCartin has played all six games for the high-flying Swans this season and averages more than three intercept marks per match.
