St Kilda forward Max King's return game has ended in disappointing fashion with the spearhead unable to play out the game due to hamstring tightness.
King came from the field in the third quarter and spent an extended period down in the rooms before the club ruled him out at three-quarter-time.
He did not appear to be in physical pain as he went into the rooms, but an abundance of caution will always be taken given his injury history.
It was his first match at the top level since Round 16 2024 having battled persistent injuries since. After getting injured in the VFL earlier in the year, St Kilda instead intensified his loads in the lead in to Round 20, enabling to come straight back into the AFL side.
He played about 50 per cent game time during the first two and a half quarters, the lowest of all players and it took until midway through the second quarter for him to have his first touch, a strong mark from a well-timed lead inside 50.
His shot at goal drifted across the face and was rushed over for a behind.
He also gave away a 50-metre penalty in the first half, colliding with Cam Zurhaar after the Kangaroo took a mark in defensive 50.
