ST KILDA forward Paddy McCartin has produced an eye-catching performance in Sandringham’s 53-point win over North Ballarat on Saturday afternoon, booting five goals as he continues to build match fitness following a concussion injury.

The 2014 No.1 draft pick also recorded seven marks and conjured an impressive snap goal from a tight-angle to claim his fifth.

Despite suggestions that St Kilda should opt to put McCartin in cotton wool for the remainder of the season, after suffering a total of three concussions this year, coach Alan Richardson conceded last week that his young forward would return to the senior line-up in 2016.

The 20-year-old has been part of a resurgent and youthful St Kilda forward line, which has afforded Saints’ skipper Nick Riewoldt more freedom to drift further up the ground.

McCartin has now strung two consecutive games together in the VFL and will be a likely inclusion to St Kilda’s clash with the Swans at Etihad Stadium next Saturday night.

Another Saint to stake his claim for a recall will be utility Cameron Shenton, who proved outstanding as a forward to end with six goals straight.

The 25-year-old has previously been tried on the wing and as a rebounding defender, but has been performing consistently further up the ground for a number of weeks.

Shenton is yet to play a game for the seniors this season after managing 10 games in 2015.

Injury-plagued recruit Nathan Freeman got through his third consecutive match unscathed as he overcomes a bout of serious hamstring complaints.