Saints forward Max King ruled out for season after suffering hamstring strain

Max King will not play again until at least next year after St Kilda confirmed he suffered a season-ending left hamstring strain in his return game on Sunday.

It is a devastating blow for the star forward, who had not played at AFL level for 757 days before this latest setback, but has now suffered hamstring injuries twice this year, including in a VFL game in May.

Saints coach Ross Lyon defended the club’s decision to play King in the senior side and bypass the VFL this time, but he will now have played once in three seasons after a torturous run that includes injuries to both knees and calf issues.

King left Sunday’s win over North Melbourne midway through the third quarter and did not return.

“It’s an incredibly disappointing outcome for Max, who has done everything possible throughout his rehabilitation to put himself in the best position to return,” St Kilda football boss Lenny Hayes said.

“He’s an incredibly important part of our football club. We’ll continue to wrap our arms around him and provide all the support he needs as he works through this latest setback.

“Our focus now turns to ensuring Max undertakes a full pre-season to allow him to get back and play consistent senior football in 2027.”

King signed a six-year contract extension in October 2024 that ties him to the Saints until the end of the 2032 season.

Lion to face serious misconduct charge

Scott Spits

Brisbane Lions defender Ty Gallop has been sent straight to the AFL Tribunal to face a charge of serious misconduct after he pushed his opponent’s head into the turf at the Gabba on Sunday.

The AFL’s match review officer used provisions in the AFL’s guidelines to send the case straight to the tribunal without providing classifications on conduct, impact or conduct.

The contentious incident happened during the second quarter. Gallop’s choice to hit out at Port Adelaide’s Mitch Georgiades was described as “a stupid action” by former Brisbane great Alastair Lynch.

“We’ve been singing the praises of Ty Gallop over the last half a dozen weeks particularly,” Lynch said on Fox Footy.

“But that’s just a stupid action. We don’t want to see that. Mitch has had some problems with concussion.

“We don’t want to see actions like that.”