ST KILDA forward Paddy McCartin had no issues in his return from concussion and won't be wrapped in cotton wool for the rest of the season, with the young gun a chance to make his long-awaited AFL comeback this Sunday against Carlton.
McCartin hasn't played at senior level since copping a high bump in the Saints' round 15 loss to Gold Coast.
The incident caused the 20-year-old's third bout of concussion this year and the Saints have handled their prized No.1 draft pick with caution since.
But McCartin played for VFL affiliate Sandringham last weekend and worked his way into the game, kicking 1.2 and taking six marks, to push his case for a senior recall.
"There were certainly no issues with respect to his concussion," coach Alan Richardson said on Thursday.
"He was running strongly and he pulled up really well - it will just be a form issue really now whether we think he's right to come back into the team.
"We know that Paddy, when he's up and going, certainly makes us a better team, so we're keen to get him in.
"It might be this week, we'll just have to wait. It's a pretty significant (training) session for us today so we'll wait and see how he goes."
The Saints are keen to continue building the chemistry up forward between McCartin, Tim Membrey and Josh Bruce, with skipper Nick Riewoldt floating into attack, over the final four rounds.
Last time St Kilda met Carlton in round 12, Membrey bagged five goals as the Saints won by 32 points to bounce back from a thumping from Adelaide.
This Sunday, the Saints are keen to atone for a frustrating loss to North Melbourne, which all but ended their finals hopes after a promising but inconsistent year.
"We've said all along that our best footy's improved. We think there's still too big a gap and probably the last month we've gone to another level for being stronger for longer within games and against quality opposition," Richardson said.
"That's been pleasing but we'd be the first to say, I'd be the first to say, the players would if you were to ask them, if they were open and honest - and most of the time we are - the gap's still too big."
The Blues have fallen just short of top-four teams and Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans in recent weeks and will have the added motivation to farewell 200-gamer Andrew Walker in style at the MCG, with Richardson expecting a fierce contest.
"They're (Carlton) a pretty experienced group. 'Clarko' (Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson) made the point after the game that the Hawks were probably a little bit younger than them last week," Richardson said.
"They've got some players that have been around for a while that are playing really strong footy."
