Struggling St Kilda rocked by brutal news with $800k star sidelined for rest of season
- Key striker Max King out for the rest of the season
- King suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury
St Kilda’s season has gone from bad to worse with star player Max King out for the year with a knee injury.
The 23-year-old, who was heavily criticised for his performance in Sunday’s narrow defeat to Port Adelaide, injured his posterior cruciate ligament just after half-time against the Power.
The injury is to the same left knee that saw King miss two games earlier this season, with St Kilda believing the injuries are unrelated.
“This is a very disappointing outcome for Max,” said Saints football manager David Misson.
‘It is thanks to Max’s commitment to his teammates that he finished the match on Sunday, but for his future and long-term health it is important that we now give his knee time to rest and recover.
‘Max will miss the rest of the season because of this, but fortunately he does not need surgery. This approach puts him in the best possible position to attack in the preparation for the season.’
King had scored 19 goals in 12 games this season but his performances against Port came under fire before his latest injury came to light.
St Kilda reached the finals last year, with King playing a pivotal role in the Saints’ team after being unavailable mid-season following shoulder surgery.
Max King (pictured) will miss the rest of the season after injuring his left knee
King suffered the injury during St Kilda’s two-point defeat to Port Adelaide last Sunday
Saints manager Ross Lyon defended King on Sunday after he drew 0-0 with Port.
“If we don’t give him the ball often it can be difficult… I really admire his mental (resilience)… he’s taken a step forward,” Lyon said.
The Saints have dropped to 15th in the standings with a 5-10 record.
King has scored 159 goals in his 83-game career, but has scored in just 23 games over the past two seasons, while he has 52 goals in majors in 2022.
King has struggled with shoulder injuries since his draft in 2018 and was unable to make his debut until 2020 after missing the 2019 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The key player has struggled with injuries since his draft in 2018
St Kilda are 15th in attack this season, just ahead of bottom side North Melbourne.
The Saints rely heavily on their small forwards to score goals, with King struggling and Tim Membrey playing in the VFL.