St Kilda stays assured Max King can have a protracted profession forward of him regardless of important post-season shoulder surgical procedure for the second time in a yr looming having additionally suffered an ACL damage earlier than being drafted.
Football boss David Mission revealed it was King who rapidly put his hand as much as “have a crack” at getting again in 2023 after affirmation from surgeons he couldn‘t further damage the shoulder that he injured last week against Melbourne.
That return could come in as few as four weeks, but Misson also said the Saints would have no issue playing him first-up in a final should the recovery push deeper into the season.
King, 23, has already kicked 123 goals in his 67-game career and remains a “critical player” to both the short and long-term success of the Saints.
Misson was adamant the club had the best systems in place and King’s professionalism was such that his physique may maintain a protracted profession at Moorabbin.
“The AFL is littered with situations like this where a player has significant injuries early in his career but is able to rehab those and go on and have a long career,” he mentioned on Thursday.
“We are confident in both our people and our systems and also in Max and his diligence and professionalism, It’s not a concern for us.”
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon mentioned news of a possible comeback this season “buoyed the group”, however now he would put King “to sleep” in his ideas and never fear about him once more till he was obtainable to play.
Misson mentioned that comeback could be dictated by King who, regardless of figuring out he’ll want post-season surgical procedure, albeit not one other shoulder reconstruction, desires to get again this yr.
“He didn’t take long to take the decision to have a crack,” he mentioned.
“We are not going to take undue risks with him, he’s a critical player for us, and Max will be the one who will update us along the way. It’s a step progression towards him hopefully playing again.”
The St Kilda ahead line may also be with out Jack Higgins for Saturday’s conflict with the Gold Coast Suns having additionally misplaced Jack Billings (thumb) and Zaine Cordy (concussion) in final week’s 21-point loss to Melbourne.
“It was a bit of carnage,” Lyon mentioned.
“But we want to be a no-excuse football club, use no alibi. That’s not the space we live in.
“You’re either improving or going backwards. There’s no point standing still.”
Originally printed as Max King backed for lengthy AFL profession regardless of needing second shoulder operation
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
