Max King will pull on the red, yellow and black for the first time this season should he make it through this week’s two training sessions, Ross Lyon has confirmed.
The key forward’s name was floated last weekend as a potential inclusion, however was ultimately ruled out after failing to complete St Kilda’s final hit-out before Round 9.
Should all proceed according to plan, King will be a straight swap for Tim Membrey, who will sit out the opening week of Sir Doug Nicholls Round with concussion.
“He needs to train today, needs to complete Friday and with Membrey going into the concussion protocols, he’ll be selected,” Lyon said at this morning’s press conference.
“He was so close last week, there was just a couple of things that just went against him.
“It would have been a harder decision (had Tim not been injured). You never like seeing your players get hurt, so we’re really concerned for Tim. In a perfect world, everyone’s fit and available and we’ve got Max or Tim or Hammer (Anthony Caminiti) playing in the one team.”
King’s potential inclusion will come as a timely boost for the Saints despite it being his first senior appearance since Round 23 of last year, however Lyon is keeping the outer expectations of a messiah-like showing from the young spearhead in check.
“I’ve got no idea (how big of an impact he'll have), I’ve never coached him… but it’ll be good to have him back,” Lyon said.
“I think the danger is with St Kilda since they’ve had Lockett and Cowboy Neale… then Riewoldt and Fraser Gehrig, you’re looking for the next one. Sometimes it’s undue pressure, but I think he’s handled it really well.
“AFL’s football abnormal, right? It’s elite level sport. Every athlete and every player going in each week will deal with a degree of anxiety… so it’s how you handle that. I’m sure he’ll be fine.
“We know there’s a tipping point for personnel, but we’d love to have him in. We think he makes us better, but we’ve been able to perform without him which has been pleasing.”
Jack Steele will look to join the main group for this morning’s main session following a medial strain from last weekend, while Jade Gresham is “optimistic” to slot back into the line-up in time for Sunday afternoon off the back of a knee knock.
Jimmy Webster played “exceptionally well” for Sandringham over the weekend to finish with 28 disposals and will be in the selection frame, while Marcus Windhager led the charge with 36 disposals and three goals in the 21-point win.
St Kilda will be without Zak Jones for at least the next six weeks after scans confirmed a strain to his right quad.
“It’s not ideal, I haven’t really seen him on the track since I’ve been here but he’s a beautiful kid… really bubbly,” Lyon said.
“He’s feeling that pressure, so we’ve got to put our support around him and nurture him and try and get him back at the end of the year.”
