The two months away from footy has been a frustrating – albeit necessary – period for everyone in the footy world.

But for a handful of Saints, the extended break has given them the chance to rehab, refresh and most importantly, miss no game-time.

Jake Carlisle, Jimmy Webster, Jade Gresham and Ben Long have all benefitted from the lapse in play, and would otherwise have been left stranded on the sidelines.

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This weekend would have marked Round 12 on the original 2020 fixture – a bye for the red, white and black.

Injuries to Long (ankle) and Gresham (knee) in Round 1 against North Melbourne risked slashing their seasons in half prior to the pause, while similar circumstances would have befallen Carlisle (back) and Webster (back).

But St Kilda’s Head of High Performance, Matt Hornsby, has lauded the group’s application and professionalism during their self-isolated recoveries.

“Like anyone who went into that phase with some little niggles, there’s a challenge when a lot of the work they have to do is on their own,” Hornsby told saints.com.au.

“But it’s been really pleasing that they’ve come back and been able to just join in everything.

“They’re ready to play Round 2.”

Carlisle and Webster were proactive in their isolated recoveries, organising their own home gyms to continue their prescribed preventative exercises.

The pair was also able to undertake lengthy running sessions and football-specific training.

Gresham has ticked all the boxes after injuring his PCL in Round 1, and underwent regular sessions with club physiotherapist Richard Citroen. 

READ: Gresham embraces the responsibility

The 22-year-old has integrated back into full training and will continue to have his workload monitored in the lead-up to Round 2.

Long meanwhile, who returned to Darwin during the break, underwent his recovery with remote consultation from Citroen and Strength & Conditioning coach Marcus Krygger.

Now, according to Hornsby, “you never would have known” he’d picked up a significant ankle injury if Friday’s match simulation was any indicator.

The brief hiatus has also given an opportunity for Jarryn Geary and Dan Hannebery to freshen up and take their conditioning “to another level”.

“The older bodies who have had years of football in the past, they’ll always benefit from a freshening-up period, particularly the ones that are really disciplined and dedicated,” Hornsby said.

“Both Hanners and Gears are absolutely that way inclined.

Jack Steele (wrist) and Darragh Joyce (hamstring) were the only two players to sit out last week’s match simulation.

St Kilda will resume its season against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, 14 June at Marvel Stadium.