AS ST KILDA forward Paddy McCartin prepares to play a fifth straight week in the VFL, coach Alan Richardson is confident the former No. 1 selection will be at the Saints for the long-term.
McCartin is contracted until the end of 2018, but media speculation has been mounting that he may leave in a bid for more senior opportunities.
Now in his third season at St Kilda, McCartin turned 21 in April and has played 19 senior games, none since round three this year.
"It's frustrating for anyone, and we'd be disappointed if our guys that go back to VFL level aren't frustrated," Richardson said at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Friday.
"If they're happy running around in the VFL and they think that's their lot in life, then they're not made of the right stuff."
The coach was asked at his Friday media conference if he was wary of rival clubs circling the first NAB AFL Draft pick from 2014.
"All we can control is the way we deal with Paddy and communicate with Paddy and make sure that he's got real clarity around how important he is to us, and I've said that many times," Richardson said.
"We think he's going to be an outstanding player for our footy club for a very long time."
McCartin has kicked two goals in a game six times, but has never exceeded that. He booted two in the first quarter against Richmond last year before sitting out the rest of the contest with a broken collarbone, and has kicked two goals from two senior games this season.
Bruising forward Mav Weller returns for the clash against Carlton on Saturday afternoon at Etihad Stadium from a rolled right ankle suffered at training last week for Nathan Wright, while tough midfielder Luke Dunstan has been recalled in place of the suspended Koby Stevens.
Former captain Nick Riewoldt will face the Blues despite looking proppy on his right knee last Friday on the back of consecutive six-day breaks, and Richardson admitted the 34-year-old may have been rested with the benefit of hindsight.
"He's moving better. He certainly wasn't moving at his best last week against GWS," Richardson said.
"I would expect him to move with the freedom and the aggressive running nature that we've seen for a long time. I think he'll be back to his best."
Riewoldt didn't have either of his knees strapped in Friday's light session.
All three emergencies – McCartin, Wright and Daniel McKenzie – trained on Friday.
Paddy McCartin at Saints training on Friday. Picture: Getty Images
Stevens was banned for one week for a tackle on Giants backman Nathan Wilson, which saw the defender undergo a concussion test after his head slammed into the Etihad Stadium turf in the second quarter.
Richardson said he hadn't sought clarification from the AFL on what constitutes a fair tackle.
"It was one that we needed to spend a little bit of time on with the players, when it is the umpire gives you a free kick for something where the same action sees the player rubbed out," he said.
"You've just got to clear that up, but philosophically, we want to be a strong, aggressive team in tackle. We've just got to make sure there's a real duty of care given to the final part of the tackle, with respect to the opposition's head."
