The Sydney Swans have lobbed a significant contract extension to star key defender Tom McCartin.

However, following yet another concussion, discussions may be put on hold.

SEN’s Tom Morris yesterday reported that the club had tabled a six-year contract extension to McCartin, a deal that would keep him at the club until 2033.

McCartin, who has suffered numerous concussion issues over his career, has had a stellar season in 2026, contending for an All-Australian blazer as a lockdown defender in one of the competition’s best sides.

Now, after going down with yet another concussion concern, David King is concerned for the individual himself, and also for what the injury could mean for both their premiership hunt, and the offer tabled by the Swans.

“Tom McCartin going off with concussion, and he has had significant concussion issues over the last three years, is just a real concern for the game and for the young man,” King told SEN Fireball.

“Let’s just stick with sheer football at the moment; the ramifications of this for the premiership of 2026 are huge.”

“It is,” Kane Cornes agreed. “All-Australian form.

“They’ve got a tough decision to make as well, the Sydney Football Club, about his future and how much they invest in that as well.

“You spoke about this with Brandon Stercevich and Brisbane.

“The club doesn’t like it, and I understand it’s a sensitive one, but when these long-term deals are on offer and a player has had this history, I think the club has got to be a bit cautious.

“I think I’m right in saying it’s five concussions in the last three years. Is it fair for the club to now reconsider that? As much as I understand this is a sensitive topic.

“You couldn’t be investing eight years - because he is contracted for another one or two plus the extension – in a player that has (that history).

“That would be irresponsible of a club to do that now, off the back of Angus Brayshaw and the issues that they had to pay out with that.

“I just think these long-term deals are really dangerous now that concussion has been highlighted.”

The McCartin family has had a difficult run with concussion issues, with brother Paddy forced into early retirement in 2023 following a series of head knocks over his career.

Succumbing to yet another concussion, the conversation turns to the club’s financial decision based on his tenure beyond his current deal.

“I went harder than this with Starcevich and got smashed for it,” King said.

“Clubs don’t like you talking about this, but in the end, it is a financial decision for a business. Take the football emotion out of it.

“Are you taking that risk? If it were your money, would you take that risk? I think clubs too easily sign off club money.

“If it were your cash, are you making this decision with your hard earned? He is a star factor player, but I am really concerned for the young man now.”

Tom Morris provided an update following his initial contract report on Sunday.

“We said on the pre-game yesterday on Channel 7 that the Sydney Swans have offered Tom McCartin a minimum six-year extension,” Morris said.

“He is out of contract at the end of next year, so this would take him until the end of 2033 at least. It might be seven years, but I’m just keeping a minimum of six years.

“Then, he gets concussed during the game. He missed nine weeks in 2023 due to concussion, four weeks in 2024 and two weeks in 2025 - three separate incidents.

“Now, at least one here, he will miss the game against Port Adelaide. That’s 16 weeks at least across four years. We know his family history with concussion.

“The negotiations are very early here. Just an offer has been lobbed to Tom McCartin, I don’t think that there’s any expectations that he is just going to sign it straight away.

“But does Sydney retract on that offer is probably a fair one. What’s happened over the last couple of years is that the AFL has introduced a sliding scale since Angus Brayshaw retired.

“To put it simply, the longer the deals, the less relief clubs get with their salary cap. Hypothetically, Sydney would get 90 per cent relief in year one, 75 per cent relief in year two, and up to 50 per cent relief in year three.

“From year four onwards, they would be on the hook, in the salary cap for all of it. That makes it less attractive for clubs to sign players long-term who might have concussion history.

“That is the discussion around Tom McCartin, and many other players around the league.”