Could ex- Saint Paddy McCartin be the answer to Melbourne's injury woes up forward? Garry Lyon believes so.
The former Pick 1 has not played since 2019 after getting forced into medical retirement due to ongoing concussion problems.
McCartin, 24, has reportedly been training with the Swans over the pre-season - where his younger brother Tom plays - in hopes of securing an AFL lifeline.
But speaking on SEN radio this morning, Lyon thinks Melbourne could be a better landing spot following injuries to key forwards Ben Brown and Sam Weideman.
“Would you get Paddy McCartin to come and train for the next six weeks?” Lyon put forward on SEN Breakfast.
“They’re going to have to get some backup aren’t they? Tom McDonald might now have to play more key forward than they were thinking."
Last week Brown underwent knee surgery after experiencing swelling in the area, which will sideline him for the early rounds of the season.
Additionally, the Demons announced yesterday that Weideman was expected to be out for the up to three months after scans revealed a stress fracture in his right leg.
Lyon reports that McCartin is in excellent physical condition, going so far to say "I've never see him look as good as he's looked".
“He’s training with Sydney, he’s fit, he’s been given the all clear,” he said.
“I’ve never seen him look as good as he’s looked, but that’s without playing footy.
“Is it worth a little hail mary, to say ‘Paddy boy, come and have a run?’
McCartin was taken by St Kilda with the first pick of the 2014 AFL draft ahead of Demon Christian Petracca.
The big man booted 34 goals from 34 games during his AFL career from 2015-2019 before getting forced into medical retirement.
All up he had eight different separate concussions during his playing days.
The Demons could add McCartin to its list up until the March 9 pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) deadline.
Melbourne face the Western Bulldogs in their sole pre-season clash on March 8 at Marvel Stadium before opening their season proper against Fremantle on March 20 at the MCG.