Max King has continued to progress through his knee rehabilitation program, with the key forward set to return to training before Christmas.
The 25-year-old underwent surgery in late June, ruling him out of the 2025 season. King had come close to returning for the second half of the Saints’ campaign before requiring a procedure to rectify occasional but persistent pain that had been unsettling his knee in the lead-up to his return.
“All reports back from our medical and rehabilitation team have been very pleasing in regard to Max’s recovery,” EGM Football David Misson said.
“By no means a small operation, the procedure has required Max to be off legs for many months.
“The commitment and grit from Max and our team to build the movement and strength back into his knee during that time has been outstanding.”
Meanwhile, Hunter Clark is currently recovering well after undergoing post-season surgery to address a ligament injury.
The midfielder pulled up sore after St Kilda’s Round 22 win over Richmond at the MCG, with scans revealing a procedure was required to address the issue and is expected to make a return to training before Christmas.
Mitchito Owens, Dan Butler and Ryan Byrnes are all set to re-join the main group for training upon the return of pre-season.
Owens (hamstring) and Byrnes (foot) both avoided surgery after suffering injuries late in the season, while Butler (elbow) continues to recover from surgery in July.
Paddy Dow has commenced his full off-season program and will re-join the group for training upon their return, following collarbone surgery in August.
In a similar position, Dougal Howard is currently undertaking a slightly modified off-season program as he works towards the end of his hamstring rehabilitation. The key defender is expected to re-join the group for training upon return of pre-season.
St Kilda’s first-to-four-year players will return to pre-season training on November 10 with the remainder of the senior group to follow on November 24.
INJURY LIST
Butler | Elbow Surgery| Day 1 of Pre-Season
Byrnes | Foot | Day 1 of Pre-Season
Owens | Hamstring | Day 1 of Pre-Season
Clark | Knee Surgery | Before Christmas
King | Knee Surgery | Before Christmas
