Injury Update: Key forwards close in, draftee eyes full return in new year

St Kilda will head into the Christmas break with several players eyeing respective returns to full training by early 2025.

Anthony Caminiti (shoulder) has taken to the track under modified non-contact training protocols post-surgery, with the 21-year-old to accompany Marcus Windhager (hamstring), Max King (knee) and Liam Stocker (groin) in reintegrating back into full training next month.

Stocker has made positive progress with his rehabilitation, avoiding major surgical intervention to set his sights on a return by mid-January.

Liam Henry (knee) has resumed running progressions following off-season knee surgery, however a timeline on his recovery still to be determined.

“It’s pleasing to see majority of our sidelined players make strides in their rehabilitations heading into the new year,” EGM Football David Misson said.

“For players like Max and Marcus who are now nearing the tail-end of their respective recoveries, we’re hopeful they will be able to prepare for 2025 unimpeded to best set themselves up for the upcoming season.”

Meanwhile, Alix Tauru is continuing to recover from a stress fracture in his back. The pick No. 10 from this year’s draft is expected to begin running within the fortnight before folding into main training by February.

“It’s always a challenging time for players waiting to rejoin the main group, especially as a new recruit,” Misson said.

“We’ve been really impressed with how Alix has approached his rehabilitation and we’ll continue to take a cautious approach to ensure he’s ready for a great first season at the Saints.”

Player	Injury	Estimated Return
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Tyanna Smith of the Saints celebrates a goal during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Tyanna Smith of the Saints kicks a goal during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Tyanna Smith of the Saints celebrates a goal during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Serene Watson of the Saints handballs during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Serene Watson of the Saints handballs during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Tyanna Smith of the Saints runs with the ball during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Tahlia Hickie of the Lions and Rene Caris of the Saints contest the ruck during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Tahlia Hickie of the Lions and Rene Caris of the Saints contest the ruck during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Tahlia Hickie of the Lions and Rene Caris of the Saints contest the ruck during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Tahlia Hickie of the Lions and Rene Caris of the Saints contest the ruck during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Nicola Xenos of the Saints kicks for goal during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Jaimee Lambert of the Saints runs with the ball during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Isabel Dawes of the Lions and Tyanna Smith of the Saints contest the ball during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Ashleigh Richards of the Saints and Shannon Campbell of the Lions contest the ball during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Ashleigh Richards of the Saints and Shannon Campbell of the Lions contest the ball during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Ashleigh Richards of the Saints and Shannon Campbell of the Lions contest the ball during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Ashleigh Richards of the Saints and Shannon Campbell of the Lions contest the ball during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Ashleigh Richards of the Saints and Shannon Campbell of the Lions contest the ball during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Rene Caris of the Saints celebrates a goal during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 11 - St Kilda v Brisbane		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 24: Rene Caris of the Saints celebrates a goal during the round 11 AFLW match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park, on October 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)