St Kilda great Danny Frawley has issued a blunt warning to Saints forward Paddy McCartin.
“He’s got to get more competitive, it’s as simple as that,” Frawley told SEN Breakfast.
“That’s his DNA - compete.”
In his third season since the Saints made him the first overall selection at the 2014 national draft, the soon-to-be 21-year-old key forward has struggled to find form.
He was a late withdrawal from the opening round side that lost to Melbourne with what the club termed hamstring awareness, but proceeded to play three quarters in the VFL a day later.
Recalled for the trip to Perth to tackle West Coast the former Geelong Falcon kicked two goals in an improved display but managed just five disposals and two marks in the fighting win over Brisbane.
While Frawley said improved competitiveness was the key for McCartin, another Saint legend Nick Dal Santo was far more blunt in his assessment.
“He hasn’t shown enough for me,” Dal Santo said.
“I’d like to see more progress in his game.”
McCartin, who debuted in Round 3 2015, kicked 14 goals from 11 matches last season, including five bags of two despite suffering two serious bouts of concussion.
The 1-2 St Kilda tackles Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on Sunday in what shapes as an interesting team selection for the full forward given the lack of key defenders at the Pies.
Will the coaching look to stretch the Pies or opt to leave McCartin out given his presence could make the forwardline top heavy alongside Tim Membrey, Josh Bruce and former skipper Nick Riewoldt, who played predominantly forward in the victory over the Lions.
The Saints have won only one of their past 10 matches against the Magpies.