St Kilda Captain Nick Riewoldt says the speculation regarding Paddy McCartin’s immediate future ‘isn’t doing Paddy any favours’, following a third concussion this season for the emerging key forward.

McCartin, 19, sustained a third concussion in eight games against Gold Coast on Saturday when he courageously backed back into a marking contest and collided with teammate Tim Membrey and Suns key defender Steven May.

The 2014 No. 1 pick prematurely exited games against Collingwood in Round 3 and more recently against Adelaide in Round 11 following similar collisions, as well as suffering a concussion in a VFL game late last season.

Riewoldt, who has suffered several concussions across his decorated career including most recently in the win over the Magpies in Round 3, has advised the media and those without medical expertise in this area to not speculate on the ramifications of McCartin’s latest head knock.

“As someone who's gone through it earlier in the year and last year, the external noise and speculation isn't helpful; it doesn't do anything but make the situation more stressful than it needs to be for the person involved,” Riewoldt told ESPN.

“It's not doing Paddy any favours. Obviously the most significant aspect is the duty of care towards Paddy, and the people best placed to comment on that are our club doctors and specialists.

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“For people who aren't medical experts to suggest they know better or throw up their opinions on whether he should or shouldn't play is simply ludicrous.”

Riewoldt is adamant that the matter is wholeheartedly a medical department decision with the specialists, not the coaches, to determine when he returns to the game.

“It is 100 percent a medical department decision, not a football department decision,” Riewoldt said.

“It's not as clear-cut [as a regular injury] - the only people that are qualified to give opinions are those who are specialists in the field who have first-hand knowledge of Paddy's case.

“Paddy was at the club today going through the normal concussion protocols [but] it just comes down to what the specialists think.

“In the meantime, all the speculation only puts more pressure on a young man who has a long career in front of him.”

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