He’d be considered a draft smoky if not for his surname, his coach, and Victoria’s entire surf coast knowing who he is. Charlie McCartin, the 25-year-old late-developing middle brother of Swan Tom and ex-Swan and Saint Paddy, is being scouted by a handful of AFL club recruiters while playing country footy in Victoria. Twice in the past month the Swans have watched McCartin playing for Lorne.
A few weeks ago, when Lorne played Birregurra, Swans recruiter and 2012 premiership skipper Jarrad McVeigh was in the crowd, and a fortnight ago Sydney’s long-term head recruiter Kinnear Beatson watched him play live. Charlie McCartin in action for Lorne in the Colac and District league. Credit: Colac Herald Given his surname, his brothers, and the fact that Lorne is coached by former Carlton midfielder Ed Curnow , McCartin is not exactly flying under the radar.
Paddy McCartin’s AFL career was curtailed by concussion, while his younger brother Tom also has a history of head injuries. Credit: Getty Images St Kilda, where former Swans recruiter Simon Dalrymple is now head recruiter, have been closely tracking him this season, too, while recruiting sources said Carlton and Geelong were among the AFL clubs to have also all scouted the key defender. Two recruiting sources – who spoke on the condition of anonymity given list decisions for next year have not yet been made – said the 194-centimetre athletic defender had similar traits to his younger brother in that he is very good ove.
