But the 24-year-old, who St Kilda took with pick one in the 2014 national draft, will renew his push for an AFL comeback when he runs out for the Swans' second-tier side this year.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/twitter.com\/sydneyswans\/status\/1362621063465562113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw<\/a><\/p>\n Sydney were among a host of clubs that considered drafting McCartin in December last year, but they all opted against securing him.<\/p>\n Sydney have one spot open on their AFL list and game time in the VFL will give McCartin an ideal chance to make that his own. The Swans could select a player during the pre-season supplementary selection period or add to their list in the mid-season draft.<\/p>\n McCartin is now at the same club as younger brother Tom, who's played 48 games since being drafted to Sydney in the 2017 national draft, and he considers that a major bonus.<\/p>\n "It's good being in Sydney with some nice weather, the beaches and being around my brother Tom," McCartin said.<\/p>\n "When I got drafted he (Tom) was only 15 and I missed him growing up a little bit, so to be back with him and see him every day is awesome.<\/p>\n "It's been a long journey to get to this point, but I have taken a lot out of it and learnt a lot, so I think it will put me in good stead for what's to come."<\/p>\n Swans VFL coach Jeremy Laidler was thrilled to welcome McCartin to the club.<\/p>\n "To have a player of his calibre around our group is fantastic," Laidler said.<\/p>\n "We have a lot of young players, and although he is only 24, he will bring a lot to the team."<\/p>\n The new-look VFL competition consists of 22 teams from Victoria, NSW and Queensland, and it's set to begin on April 17.<\/p>\n The 2021 VFL fixture will be released later this month and practice matches will get underway in March.<\/p>\n The Swans used to play in the NEAFL but that state-league competition was ruined by the impact of COVID-19.<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
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