St Kilda will be without Jake Carlisle for the majority of the 2019 season, with the 27-year-old set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
Carlisle will soon have surgery on his lower back after seeing a specialist on Tuesday regarding nerve pressure following a disc protrusion.
The specialist told the Saints surgery was the best option, and the defender is set to be sidelined for six weeks following the operation.
However, Carlisle's rehab program is expected to last several months, which could take him until the final few rounds of the home-and-away season before he's fit to play.
St Kilda's General Manager of Football Simon Lethlean spoke to the club's website to confirm the process.
โWhen heโs playing well, we know Jake is one of the best defenders in the game, so itโs obviously disappointing not to have him available,โ Lethlean told saints.com.au.
โGiven he hasnโt been able to train with any intensity since Christmas we were able to prepare for the start of the season knowing he would likely be missing, but unfortunately he will now miss a considerable amount of football.
โGuys like Josh Battle and Darragh Joyce have stepped up over the summer and will get their opportunity which is exciting.
โThankfully with Dylan Roberton back, joined by the likes of Jarryn Geary, Jimmy Webster and Nathan Brown, we have good experience in our backline that will be able to help fill the void.โ
