St Kilda appears set to enter Round 1 with a threadbare defensive unit after a pair of veterans exited Sunday's final practice match under clouds.
While versatile defender Jimmy Webster will doubtlessly miss a sizable portion of St Kilda's early schedule after the Tasmanian opted to jump and bump North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin, key stopper Dougal Howard looms as a likely omission himself having injured his hamstring late in the day at Moorabbin.
Throwing his mouthguard as he left the Linton Street playing surface, the heart-on-his-sleeve backman failed to suppress his frustration, departing the clash with what appeared to be a left hamstring concern.
With a date against Geelong and their twinned talls Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron scheduled for Round 1, Webster's certain suspension and Howard's setback come at an inopportune time for the Saints, who were already missing Josh Battle (rested) and All-Australian rebounder Jack Sinclair (calf) for their final hitout against the Roos.
Should Howard be forced to the sidelines to start the season, a once-unlikely debut for recent draftee Arie Schoenmaker and his booming left boot looms.
Schoenmaker made his way to Moorabbin from the Tasmanian Devils with the 62nd pick of the 2023 AFL Draft after sliding down the board due to off-field disciplinary issues.
The now-19-year-old was suspended by the Devils for 10 weeks after supplying younger teammates with alcohol ahead of last year's draft.
"I bought the boys some alcohol after a game when I was a leader in that team," Schoenmaker revealed to Fox Footy.
"I was a second-year player and I encouraged drinking with the young boys. I just didn't use my leadership skills in a positive way."
Despite being sent to train with St Kilda's VFL affiliate Sandringham last month in a bid to bridge professional standards, the 194cm key defensive prospect featured in Ross Lyon's side against the Kangaroos on Sunday.
St Kilda will make the trip down the highway to face the Cats at Kardinia Park on Saturday, March 16 before hosting reigning premiers Collingwood at the MCG in Round 2.
