YOUNG St Kilda forward Paddy McCartin didn't know if he would return to football last year after suffering his sixth concussion since 2014.

However, after receiving approval from doctors to keep playing, and donning a helmet because of an ultimatum from coach Alan Richardson, McCartin is confident about the direction in which his career is heading.

The 22-year-old has played 12 games so far this year, the most he has managed in any season since being drafted with the first selection overall in 2014, and spoke to reporters at RSEA Park on Tuesday about his struggles.

"This time last year, it was a pretty tough time. I didn't even really know if I was going to be playing, to be honest," McCartin said.

"There was a lot of stuff, a lot of water to go under the bridge, before I even pulled on the boots again really.

"From where I am now to this time last year is a pretty stark difference.

"To say I'm enjoying my footy would be an understatement. I'm absolutely loving it because there was a bit of a time last year, the future probably wasn't looking too bright, to be honest."

McCartin's seventh concussion came during the Melbourne clash in round seven. He missed two games, with his treatment "very conservative", and returned against Richmond with new headwear.

"I've put the helmet on now, which took me a little bit to get used to, and I wasn't too keen on it, to be honest, but Richo sort of gave me the ultimatum, wear it or I probably won't play," McCartin said.

"I've chucked it on and I've actually really enjoyed it. It probably took me a couple of training sessions to get used to but now I hardly notice it at all."

Having to deal with type 1 diabetes has been an issue but with more experience, he has learned to manage it better.

"My diabetes is going really well. Probably the best management I've had ever, really," McCartin said.

"I've had it for 14 years, so that's going really well. It can be quite a challenging illness at times, which I'm sure a lot of people who have type 1 diabetes know, but I've got fantastic support networks in place for that."

Media scrutiny has been a constant for McCartin, but he takes a philosophical approach to it.

"I don't really take any notice of it to be honest. That might sound like a bit of a cliché potentially, because I know there are a lot of people who do take notice of it, but I'm pretty comfortable in my own skin and the effort that I'm putting in," McCartin said.