St Kilda has ruled emerging key forward Paddy McCartin out of Sunday’s game against Essendon to allow the club time to perform all the necessary medical tests before determining when the young gun will return.

The 2014 No. 1 pick suffered concussion for the third time this season after a collision in a marking contest in the opening quarter of Saturday’s 40-point loss to Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.

McCartin, 19, was also concussed against Collingwood in Round 3 and against Adelaide in Round 11, as well as in a VFL game late last season, tallying three concussions in his last eight games.

St Kilda GM – Football Performance Jamie Cox said McCartin’s health and wellbeing was the club’s only priority right now, with the Saints not prepared to make any compromises on player safety.

“We’ve already made the decision that Paddy will miss this weekend’s football, which will give us a chance to do all the necessary medical tests on Paddy and give us a much better idea about when Paddy’s ready to return to play,” Cox said on Monday.

“Paddy’s health and wellbeing is at the very forefront of any of those discussions. We certainly won’t compromise his health and that will be carefully managed.”

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Cox wouldn’t put a timeframe on McCartin’s return but said the club’s medical team, in conjunction with specialists, would do what was in the spearhead’s best interests.

“At this stage it’s just a week. We’ve made that call early to give Paddy and the doctors the space.

“We’re really confident with the amount of medical support we’ve got around him. Our medical staff have done a wonderful job in managing these issues in the past and have called in a number of consultants in this space.

“There will be no compromise on Paddy’s health; it will be whatever’s best for him.”

McCartin returned with the club from Queensland on Saturday night and according to Cox has recovered well from his latest setback.

“Paddy’s at the club today. He’s recovered well from the most recent knock and he’s in good spirits,” Cox said.

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