1 week ago
19
Updated May 3, 2026 — 8:19pm,first published 6:24pm
St Kilda’s Max King will be sidelined for some six weeks in the latest setback for the injury-plagued star forward.
Scans on Sunday confirmed King had suffered a significant strain to his left hamstring.
“The key forward is expected to spend approximately six weeks on the sidelines, with his return-to-play timeline to include a conditioning block,” a Saints statement read.
The Saints, powered by an eight-goal third term, kicked a triple-figure tally for the fourth time this season in their 16.12 (108) to 9.15 (69) win over Carlton on Saturday night.
It squared their win-loss record at 4-4, but coach Ross Lyon’s mood in the aftermath was tempered by news of King’s injury hours earlier.
The 25-year-old key forward, who hasn’t played at AFL level in almost two years, kicked two early goals in his second VFL game back from a calf issue.
“I was watching it, he was looking good,” Lyon said.
“I did speak about it during the week; that was the risk after such a long lay-off.
“We’re trying to manage that soft tissue, so he’ll be disappointed, but he’s overcome bigger things.”
AAP
Relief for Blues as Cripps avoids ban over ‘chicken-wing’ tackle
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps has avoided a suspension for a chicken-wing tackle on St Kilda’s Hugo Garcia.
Charged with misconduct, Cripps can instead accept a $1000 fine with an early guilty plea for his tackle on Garcia in the third quarter of Carlton’s 39-point loss to the Saints at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Sanctions for the chicken-wing tackle have varied, with Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski banned for two matches for a tackle on then-Collingwood player Jack Ginnivan in 2022.
Former Richmond player Jack Riewoldt received a fine in 2019, but two-time Brownlow Medal winner Chris Judd served a four-week suspension in 2012 while playing for Carlton.
Judd’s tackle on Leigh Adams left his North Melbourne opponent with a dislocated shoulder.
Cripps’ tackle led to a fiery confrontation at Marvel Stadium with former Carlton teammate Jack Silvagni, who moved to the Saints with fellow high-profile recruit Tom De Koning.
Young Carlton defender Harry Dean was also charged with misconduct for shoving St Kilda’s Liam Ryan in the third quarter, and can accept the same sanction with an early guilty plea.
But Dean is expected to spend some time on the sidelines after picking up a groin issue, with scans to determine the extent of the damage.
Garcia was also handed a $1000 fine for careless contact with an umpire in the second quarter.
Elsewhere, West Coast youngster Elijah Hewett was slapped with a $3000 fine for striking Richmond’s Nick Vlastuin in the third quarter at Optus Stadium.
AAP
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
