FORMER No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin is relishing the prospect of replacing retired champion Nick Riewoldt in St Kilda's forward line.
McCartin, who battled concussion issues in 2017, has played just 22 games since being selected in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.
But with former skipper Riewoldt gone, the door is wide open for McCartin to make his mark in attack, alongside fellow forwards Josh Bruce and Tim Membrey.
The young forward has declared he's ready to step up, but insists he won't be weighed down by the burden of trying to be the next Riewoldt.
"There were a few times last year where 'Roo' didn't play, so me, Brucey and Timmy played together," McCartin said.
"Even the year before when Roo played up on the wing, the three of us were together so we've done it before. It's not like it will be a brand-new concept and we'll have to grasp something new.
"Roo has been unbelievable for me and my development and hopefully I can fill a little bit of the hole he's left.
"You don't really look at it and say, 'I've got to be Rooey', because that's going to be tough. He's one of the best players to have played the game, almost. I'm just going to control what I can control."
Younger McCartin learns from Paddy's trials
And what McCartin can control right now is his pre-season training.
He has returned to the club in terrific condition, smashing out a personal-best time on Wednesday in the club's 3km time trial on day one of pre-season.
While three separate concussions suffered in 2016, and one in the VFL this year in July, have delayed his playing career, the Geelong Falcons product has been able to work hard on his fitness with the high performance team at St Kilda.
McCartin hasn't played football since he copped a head knock in the VFL in round 14, but after consulting a number of specialists, the 21-year-old is confident he has put the series of concussions behind him.
"It is tough, but it's a tough industry and tough stuff happens to a lot of people so you have to cop it on the chin and move on," McCartin said at the Saints training camp near Yea in central Victoria.
"I'm feeling really confident, and so are the doctors and everyone I've spoken to, that I'm going to be fine and I'm really looking forward to next year.
"It's case by case; it's not like I'm more prone to them or anything, I just put my head in the wrong spot a couple of times.
"The club has been super and really diligent. I've got the best people in Australia looking after me, so they wouldn't put me in any position where I'm at risk. I know that, and I'm really confident so I'll play footy the same way."
The young Saint said he won't change the way he attacks the football, but he has learned to not to put his head in dangerous positions.
McCartin is out of contract at the end of 2018 but is keen to repay the faith St Kilda has shown in him.
The forward hasn't set a timeline yet on re-signing, but said it was just a formality.
"I love the footy club, so hopefully that'll be done soon," he said.
"The club has invested a lot in me and they've really looked after me."
