St Kilda senior coach Ross Lyon has provided an injury update on Max King, confirming that the key forward suffered another soft tissue setback last week.
However, King's timeline remains the same as was suggested by Lyon last week, with the Saints hopeful he will be available to be selected for competitive play in Round 4, whether that be at AFL level or via the VFL.
"He was really tracking for Opening Round, as in him being available, there was no doubt about that," Lyon told SEN.
"He just started full training. He set that goal. Then he had a calf, a really minor, legitimately minor calf strain, so it was looking about Round 4.
"He just tweaked it again a week or so ago, within the rehab program, and it was going really well. He's just been that deconditioned over the last few years.
"Going into the last year, he had a full pre-season, and he had that knee complaint that took a while to figure out. It was a torn cartilage that was moving in and out of the joint.
"They chose to repair it which was conservative. That was four months of not doing anything. That's a big lapse for an elite athlete.
"He built back slowly but surely and got the full loads in, but then it tore, so that set him back.
"It's been a topsy-turvy period and mentally tough for him, but he's held himself together really well.
"From here, it's not the knee, it's not the joint, it's just the soft tissue, which is the risk when you're coming off a low base.
"We are optimistic but until it actually occurs... he'll play and, at this point, it's Round 4 that he'll be available."
King has kicked 159 goals in just 83 AFL games since being drafted in 2018, but has not played since Round 16, 2024 due to various injuries. While Lyon admitted the topic had only recently been broached, King's potential lack of AFL-standard conditioning upon his return to full health could mean the spearhead initially returns via the VFL.
"It's not something we canvassed previously but I think we are now canvassing that - is it VFL or is it AFL? What's going to set Max up for success without the pressure?" Lyon said.
"It's about maximising the full capability of our list. Where are we at with our power forward up and going? No doubt we're going to be better.
"He's a high-level talent, he's got strong character, a good family, and he'll see the other side of this, I've got no doubt."
Lyon also revealed that recruit Liam Ryan's work rate has been a pleasant surprise this pre-season, and believes that he could be the Saints' most underrated off-season addition.
Ryan's attitude and premiership experience is a highly anticipated x-factor into Lyon's best 23, with his high-flying marks and goalkicking capabilities set to captivate Saints fans inside the forward line as they await King's return.
The 2020 All-Australian is coming off a 22-goal season, his best return since 2021, which was an element Lyon strongly rated entering free agency discussions.
However, what has impressed Lyon most since Ryan arrived at Moorabbin is the intangibles he has demonstrated off the ball, rather than his flair when the Sherrin is in his range.
"He's a character; he's bubbly and has had an incredible summer," Lyon told SEN.
"He virtually, as he's come out of rehab, hasn't missed. The clips where he's off-ball work and is running and seeing out [efforts], I said [to the assistant coaches] that's taken me by surprise a little bit.
"Because we all see the 'Flying Ryan' - the marks, the goals and the class - but his work without the ball has taken me by surprise and has been of a really high level."
Lyon also shared that his recruitment strategy that he uses to determine whether a player will fit in his club's culture is to have a long conversation with them. It's something that made Ryan a clear fit for the club.
"[The conversation] is longer than an hour. It's very hard for people to hide who they are when it goes longer than an hour," Lyon revealed.
"I did sit down with Liam. He's very bubbly and engaged, and a family man.
"Then it's all the references in the background from people you trust. Over the years, I've learned some harsh lessons, I wouldn't say [I was] flippant, but sometimes you want to believe because of the outcome you desire.
"A few times my radar was not where it should have been, I still went with it. To be honest, if I sit there and my radar from here is not right, I pull the boom down. Not for mine.
"But Ryan was the complete opposite. We've got a really good strong First Nations group led by Bradley Hill and he's just come and lit the club up."
Get set for the footy with the FREE Zero Hanger 2026 AFL Season Guide! Packed with 150+ pages of player profiles, team previews, insights and analysis, the 2026 AFL Season Guide is built for fans who want the full picture. Download your free Season Guide HERE.
