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 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Ashleigh Richards of the Saints poses with family after being presented her 50th game jumper ahead of the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill, on September 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Ashleigh Richards of the Saints poses with Tyanna Smith and family after being presented her 50th game jumper ahead of the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill, on September 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Ashleigh Richards of the Saints poses with Hannah Priest ahead of her 50th game during t the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill, on September 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Ashleigh Richards of the Saints poses with Hannah Priest ahead of her 50th game during t the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill, on September 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Molly McDonald of the Saints (R) and Serene Watson of the Saints warm up ahead of the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill on September 13, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Serene Watson of the Saints warms up ahead of the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill, on September 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Olivia Vesely of the Saints warms up ahead of the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill, on September 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Serene Watson of the Saints warms up ahead of the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill, on September 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Hannah Priest of the Saints warms up ahead of the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill, on September 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Olivia Vesely of the Saints warms up ahead of the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill, on September 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Sophie Butterworth of the Saints warms up ahead of the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill, on September 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Hannah Priest of the Saints (R) runs out prior to the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill on September 13, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Hannah Priest of the Saints in action during the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill on September 13, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Hannah Priest of the Saints in action during the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill on September 13, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Poppy Kelly of the Tigers (L) and Zoe Besanko of the Saints compete for the ball during the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill on September 13, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Serene Watson of the Saints kicks ahead during the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill on September 13, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Dana East of the Tigers is tackled by Jaimee Lambert of the Saints during the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill, on September 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Tyanna Smith of the Saints is tackled during the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill on September 13, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Tyanna Smith of the Saints is tackled during the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill on September 13, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 05 - Richmond v St Kilda		MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw of the Saints kicks ahead during the round five AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and St Kilda Saints at Windy Hill on September 13, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images via AFL Photos)