St Kilda's worst nightmare has inched into their psyche as the club confirmed injuries to three key players, namely Max King.
The club was in the midst of match simulation on Friday when King (knee) as well as Jack Sinclair (hamstring) and Mason Wood (quad) all left the track and were immediately sent for scans.
However, the Moorabbin club revealed that all three avoided serious damage.
โOur football program is currently on its four day break, so Max, Mason and Jack will rest over the next few days and we'll assess their resumption of training next week,โ EGM Football David Misson said.
King - who is fresh off signing a monster six-year extension in October - has faced multiple bouts of injuries, limiting him to 23 games in the past two seasons.
The 24-year-old was sidelined for the final eight games of last season after suffering a PCL tear against Port Adelaide.
The latest injury scare follows the raft of Saints players succumbing to issues in recent weeks.
Emerging midfielder Mattaes Phillipou will miss the start of the 2025 season after fracturing his right femur.
Star ruckman Rowan Marshall is also in doubt for Round 1 after sustaining a pelvic injury while key defender Dougal Howard dislocated his shoulder at training last week.
Then the quartet of Paddy Dow (knee), Liam Henry (knee), Hunter Clark (groin) and Alix Taura (back) are on modified programs and working through their respective injuries.
St Kilda is scheduled to take on Carlton in its first match simulation at Ikon Park on February 22.
St Kilda Injury List
Clark, Groin, 2-3 weeks
Henry, Knee, 4-6 weeks
Tauru, Back, 4-8 weeks
Marshall, Pelvis, 5-8 weeks
Phillipou, Leg, 10-14 weeks
Howard, Shoulder, TBC
Dow, Knee, TBC
King, Knee, TBC
Sinclair, Hamstring, TBC
Wood, Quad, TBC
