Former Saint and now Sydney Swans reserves forward Paddy McCartin has issued an apology following an incident that occurred in last Saturday's match against Geelong's VFL side.
McCartin has been handed a five match ban after footage emerged of him striking Geelong player Aaron Black off-the-ball.
Black has been cleared of any serious injuries and was cleared of concussion.
"It's staggering that we tonight are talking about him laying his own fist on the head of an opponent."@barrettdamian on Paddy McCartin's serious strike in the VFL on the weekend.#9FootyClassified | Watch @channel9 pic.twitter.com/2inEnKaHaR
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) May 3, 2021
SEE ALSO:ย Giants star signs contract extension
McCartin knows how problematic concussions can be after suffering eight concussions in five seasons with St Kilda before being delisted.
In a vide released by the Swans, a devastated McCartin expressed his resentment of the incident when apologising to Black.
"I'm really disappointed in what happened, I'm gutted honestly," McCartin said.
"I really want to apologize to everyone, firstly to Aaron... I'm just really glad that he is okay
"I spoke to him yesterday, and he let me know that he is alright."
McCartin was granted an AFL lifeline when he signed with Sydney's reserves side for the 2021 season. He is hoping to attain a spot on Sydney's AFL list through the mid-season draft.
McCartin acknowledged that he has lost some respect following the incident and has set his mind to earning it back.
"I know that through some actions, I've probably lost some of the respect of people in the footy community.
"Hopefully going forward with the things that I do, I can go about earning back some of the respect that I have lost."
