Injury Max King's knee

[Leap of Faith]

How we got bent over on a contract that wasn't even a pressing matter is beyond me. Not like his value on the open market was increasing. Only club that would pay up would have been Tasmania.

Pipe dream stuff but if he took a pay cut so we could pitch to his brother as a restricted free agent this year that would be some good faith, such is the absurdity of the situation if he doesn't get on the park this year.

I think this calf is the last injury the fans as a collective can withstand without seeing him play some games.

I'm already past the last injury I can stand, but it makes sfa difference to anybody else or the club. My frustration with him is Maxxed out - ha ha. The way I deal with it is to just let go of any expectation whatsoever that we will see him play again. NFI how that will play out regarding his contract. We're entering Hannebery territory here. Paying someone long term good coin for not being able to get on the park.

 

[Saintos The ITK]

Teams dont need good key backs if we keep up with this just bomb it long rubbish.

The long bomb has never worked for us but this year we seem to have added the inate ability to pick out our smallest player outmanned by three pies tall defenders.
Well done whoever thought that up.

 

[phantom13]

The long bomb has never worked for us but this year we seem to have added the inate ability to pick out our smallest player outmanned by three pies tall defenders.
Well done whoever thought that up.

Also mostly putting it 35-45m out from goal too so when the oppo inevitably gets the crumb we get cut to pieces on the rebound.

 

[70s sainter]

It fully dawned on me today that we may never see him play again. It's the worst case scenario, and I hope like hell that it's not the case, but it's looking eminently possible.

It's problematic enough for our list build given our lack of another developed key forward, but with his absolutely insanely long and seemingly lucrative contract, it's a big issue for our salary cap management as well. I cannot fathom why the club opted to extend him until 2032 with his injury history. They did it in 2024 when he was already contracted until the end of 2026! Did the club really not think that after his 2024 injury that they should assess his durability for at least another year before committing him to a long term contract?

The club has done a lot right in their list management over the last few years, but this is shaping up to be a stinker with lasting implications. It needs to be investigated who made the decision and why.

The human side of this isn't lost on me and I have no doubt that the person who wants him to be out there the most is Max himself. I really do feel for him.

I agree 100% with 100% of this summery .

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

If you cant get on the park for a year and a half entering the prime of your career youre a dud.

Find a replacement and move on.

The club needs a grilling as well.

 

[Southeastsainter]

What an absolute shambles of a contract we gave Max. Time to move on, he is cooked!

Hope he proves me wrong but jeez, guy is made of tissue paper.

 

[tony74]

What an absolute shambles of a contract we gave Max. Time to move on, he is cooked!

Hope he proves me wrong but jeez, guy is made of tissue paper.

Running laps this morning

 

[beside the seaside]

Running laps this morning

 

[bwardi]

Obviously every setback feels like a dagger when it comes to King but notice the key word is soreness when it comes to his respective soft tissue problems. Soreness would be expected coming from a long way back conditioning wise and if Tony's report is anything to go by, it seems he is managing it okay. Loading will mean he comes back later and hopefully he can start back a little sooner in the VFL.

 

[Sully111]

Tom Morris has provided an injury update on Max King:

“So Max King is half a season away. He won’t be playing AFL before Round 8-12,”

“There is a difference of opinion of people around Max King and around St Kilda as to how much due diligence St Kilda did.”

“St Kilda will say they did everything they could. But there is a view that they didn’t do enough to understand his body before they signed him to a six-year extension.”

The injury-prone forward remains sidelined with calf, groin and hamstring soreness after missing the entire 2025 season due to persistent knee issues.

 

[Sully111]

Calf... groin.... hamstring

I'm hearing his pinky toe on his left foot is in tip top shape though.... phew

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Running laps this morning

Knowing our luck a light tower will fall on his toe.

 

[SaintlyHymns]

Tom Morris has provided an injury update on Max King:

“So Max King is half a season away. He won’t be playing AFL before Round 8-12,”

“There is a difference of opinion of people around Max King and around St Kilda as to how much due diligence St Kilda did.”

“St Kilda will say they did everything they could. But there is a view that they didn’t do enough to understand his body before they signed him to a six-year extension.”

The injury-prone forward remains sidelined with calf, groin and hamstring soreness after missing the entire 2025 season due to persistent knee issues.

I actually think this is consistent with our messaging, although proof will be in the pudding.

I don't read this as further delayed timeline, but the Saints saying he's Round 4-5 away and then would be on limited minutes through the VFL to build back up.

Having said that, every chance there are further delays and we see him finally for the last year of his contract in 2032.

 

[Sully111]

I actually think this is consistent with our messaging, although proof will be in the pudding.

I don't read this as further delayed timeline, but the Saints saying he's Round 4-5 away and then would be on limited minutes through the VFL to build back up.

Having said that, every chance there are further delays and we see him finally for the last year of his contract in 2032.

Have to disagree. Ross was asked how far away he was and he said 2-3 weeks. Yes I know it's more nuanced than that with training etc but it's implied.

Love Ross. Think he's a bit full of it and defensive when it comes to Max.

 

[gringo2011]

Have to disagree. Ross was asked how far away he was and he said 2-3 weeks. Yes I know it's more nuanced than that with training etc but it's implied.

Love Ross. Think he's a bit full of it and defensive when it comes to Max.

He has to balance keeping Max's spirits up and messaging to the fans. It must be ****ed being Max King right now.

I honestly think he'll get back this year but think round 4 plus a month of training and a few VFL matches gets him to half way through the season in all likelihood. About what I already imagined.

I'd honestly take half a season after a carefully managed fitness program to limit any more stuff ups and be quite happy with it. He's really a bonus at this stage.

I've been tough on him because of disappointment but after seeing him forlorn in that video I have nothing but sympathy for him. I'll pray to the footy gods that the poor campaigner gets a decent run at it.

 

[botts]

He has to balance keeping Max's spirits up and messaging to the fans. It must be ****ed being Max King right now.

I honestly think he'll get back this year but think round 4 plus a month of training and a few VFL matches gets him to half way through the season in all likelihood. About what I already imagined.

I'd honestly take half a season after a carefully managed fitness program to limit any more stuff ups and be quite happy with it. He's really a bonus at this stage.

I've been tough on him because of disappointment but after seeing him forlorn in that video I have nothing but sympathy for him. I'll pray to the footy gods that the poor campaigner gets a decent run at it.

As long as he get back and plays this year. We should be playing finals this year and what a storey it will be if he helps us out. But if he doesn’t get back this year he may need to consider retirement

 

[Sully111]

He has to balance keeping Max's spirits up and messaging to the fans. It must be ****ed being Max King right now.

I honestly think he'll get back this year but think round 4 plus a month of training and a few VFL matches gets him to half way through the season in all likelihood. About what I already imagined.

I'd honestly take half a season after a carefully managed fitness program to limit any more stuff ups and be quite happy with it. He's really a bonus at this stage.

I've been tough on him because of disappointment but after seeing him forlorn in that video I have nothing but sympathy for him. I'll pray to the footy gods that the poor campaigner gets a decent run at it.

Yeah I agree with everything you said. I really feel for the guy too.

Still think Ross hasn't really shot from the hip when it comes to Max though.

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

I actually think this is consistent with our messaging, although proof will be in the pudding.

I don't read this as further delayed timeline, but the Saints saying he's Round 4-5 away and then would be on limited minutes through the VFL to build back up.

Having said that, every chance there are further delays and we see him finally for the last year of his contract in 2032.

He was meant to be back around Round 4. Not 8-12.

He has to balance keeping Max's spirits up and messaging to the fans. It must be ****ed being Max King right now.

I honestly think he'll get back this year but think round 4 plus a month of training and a few VFL matches gets him to half way through the season in all likelihood. About what I already imagined.

I'd honestly take half a season after a carefully managed fitness program to limit any more stuff ups and be quite happy with it. He's really a bonus at this stage.

I've been tough on him because of disappointment but after seeing him forlorn in that video I have nothing but sympathy for him. I'll pray to the footy gods that the poor campaigner gets a decent run at it.

I do feel sorry for him in that when he does get back out there. The pressure to justify is contract will be massive.

 

[StCicatriz]

soft tissue central. he cannot put any load through those legs. he's either over training and pushing too hard or his body just cant do it anymore

 

[Mowman]

Tom Morris has provided an injury update on Max King:

“So Max King is half a season away. He won’t be playing AFL before Round 8-12,”

“There is a difference of opinion of people around Max King and around St Kilda as to how much due diligence St Kilda did.”

“St Kilda will say they did everything they could. But there is a view that they didn’t do enough to understand his body before they signed him to a six-year extension.”

The injury-prone forward remains sidelined with calf, groin and hamstring soreness after missing the entire 2025 season due to persistent knee issues.

Oh really
Who would've thought that LOL

 

[Mowman]

I actually think this is consistent with our messaging, although proof will be in the pudding.

I don't read this as further delayed timeline, but the Saints saying he's Round 4-5 away and then would be on limited minutes through the VFL to build back up.

Having said that, every chance there are further delays and we see him finally for the last year of his contract in 2032.

Are you serious ?

 

[SaintlyHymns]

Are you serious ?

I meant our most recent messaging haha. Overall it's been horrible.

I'd like to think Morris was saying 'AFL return by round 8' factoring in that Max is going to spend time in VFL. But I get on exposed form his body is cooked and we won't see him again is more likely.

 

[Mowman]

I meant our most recent messaging haha. Overall it's been horrible.

I'd like to think Morris was saying 'AFL return by round 8' factoring in that Max is going to spend time in VFL. But I get on exposed form his body is cooked and we won't see him again is more likely.

I would go with this sadly

Said rnd 8 to 12 if at all from the start

Still find it amusing people believed it was calf

 

[Desperate saint]

Honestly most of us who have gone through watching Max's career from the fringes can see that the guy is cooked and won't play again.

We seen so many false dawns from upper ankle strains to minor calves. His injury list reads like a plot line from Bridgerton.

Club needs to move on ASAP and focus on a key forward, cause that's what we have been missing since Roo retired.

Agree 100%

 

[Desperate saint]

The long bomb has never worked for us but this year we seem to have added the inate ability to pick out our smallest player outmanned by three pies tall defenders.
Well done whoever thought that up.

Brendon Bolton supporting the small fraternity