Star St Kilda forward Max King is set to undergo a left shoulder reconstruction after a training incident that will significantly delay his season next year.
The 22-year-old suffered the injury in a marking contest at training on Monday, with subsequent scans confirming the severity.
Injury blow: Max King.Credit:AFL Photos
King will visit a surgeon on Tuesday and is expected to undergo an operation within days in a hammer blow to coach Ross Lyon’s hopes of making an instant impression.
King played every game last season and kicked a career-high 52 goals to establish himself as arguably the club’s most important player.
The Saints’ new executive general manager of football, Geoff Walsh, said King’s setback was “extremely disappointing”.
“He had come back for pre-season in really great condition, which is a credit to his professionalism; a trait we know will stand him in good stead as he works through his rehab over the next few months,” Walsh said.
“The recovery and rehabilitation period for this injury will be a number of months.
“We will provide updates as he progresses through his rehab program – suffice to say his return to play will not be until the season is well underway.”
St Kilda sacked former coach Brett Ratten and installed Lyon as coach in late October in a bid to revive the club’s flagging fortunes.
The Saints were not active in the trade period, with the free agency addition of ex-Western Bulldogs swingman Zaine Cordy the exception as they focused on the draft.
Undersized target Tim Membrey (34 goals) and Jack Higgins (30) were St Kilda’s top scoring options behind King and suddenly have much more responsibility.
Cordy, too, may need to be unleashed predominantly as a forward, unless Lyon chooses to send Dougal Howard or Josh Battle into attack again.
Cooper Sharman and Mason Wood, who spent most of his time this year on a wing, are other options, while ruckman Rowan Marshall is also a capable forward.
