Saints lose McCartin ahead of AFL opener

St Kilda have suffered a major blow before their big AFL season opener against Melbourne with the late withdrawal of Paddy McCartin.

The Saints said the key forward had hamstring tightness and replaced him with Jack Lonie, while Melbourne were unchanged.

McCartin’s absence means veteran Nick Riewoldt will probably have to spend more time in attack, rather than playing his newer role on the wing.

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