Roberton steps away from game for the year
St Kilda defender Dylan Roberton has stepped away from football for a year because of his heart problems.
Roberton told his teammates Friday morning he would not play this year but he had not given up hope that he could overcome his heart issues and would reassess in 12 months time.
Roberton said he was not yet ready to retire and not prepared to give up the hope that he could find a solution to enable him to continue to play.
“It’s extremely frustrating because I physically feel fine, and if you exclude those two incidents, I’m as healthy as I’ve ever been,” Roberton said on St Kilda's website.
“Unfortunately, I need to listen to the professionals and take some more time out of the game.
“I still have a great desire to play at the highest level and want to make sure we look at every possibility.
“Given the club’s ability to add a player to the list, I wanted to make the call while they still had time to do so.”
His decision came after meetings with his cardiologist and club doctors this week to analyse scans and data after another heart scare during Sunday's practice match against the Western Bulldogs.
Roberton had a defibrillator implanted last year after he collapsed suddenly in a round-four match last April from a previously unknown heart problem.
Sunday was his third game back playing since returning to play with the defibrillator and he suffered a heart episode at the end of the match that left him "feeling wonky" and needing treatment from doctors and paramedics in the rooms after the game.
St Kilda naturally supported their player's decision, saying his health was the first and only priority.
There is no update yet on teammate Paddy McCartin who suffered another concussion in the same match - his eighth since 2014.
What has frustrated Roberton is that he has felt normal, was in no pain or discomfort during training or games and even after Sunday's issue he was back to feeling normal again very soon after the game.
His cardiologist is understood to have been able to analyse data from the defibrillator to get a clearer picture of what occurred on Sunday.
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said it was a blow to lose Roberton for 2019 but hoped he would be seen in Saints colours again.
“Robbo is an incredibly selfless player, and nothing speaks more to that than his want to continue to play on and contribute to our group. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen this year,” Richardson said on St Kilda's website.
"To lose a player of his calibre is no doubt a blow, but as he said to his teammates when he spoke to them today, he has enormous faith in our guys to step up and fill the void.
“The club, our medical staff, coaches and the players will support him through this period and with whatever comes in the future.
“Whether that’s working with the coaching staff again like he did last year, I’m sure Dylan will still play an important role for us in 2019 and be there to support his teammates.”
“We, like him, are hopeful a solution to his condition can be found and we can see him in Saints colours once again.”
St Kilda are considering adding former Carlton defender Sam Rowe to their list via the pre-season supplementary list before Friday's deadline.
The 31-year-old was at Moorabbin on Friday morning but the Saints have until 2pm to make the call.
St Kilda are expect to rely on Darragh Joyce and Josh Battle to fill the key defensive posts in round one against the Suns but are aware of the need for back-up.
Key defender Jake Carlisle has undergone back surgery which will keep him out for most of the season, key defender Nathan Brown is suspended for round one, recruit Dan Hannebery is yet to play a practice match and is not expected to be fit for the first game, while star midfielder Jack Steven has taken time away rom the game to deal with personal and mental health problems and his return remains uncertain.
McCartin also appears unlikely to play in the opening game against Gold Coast because of the concussion.