MAX KING’S trip to the Gold Coast has been explained as a change of scenery as the St Kilda key forward aims for his long-awaited AFL comeback.
Saints coach Ross Lyon also said anyone putting too much weight on the club’s published timeline for King’s return is living in a fool’s paradise, given the inexact science of injury rehabilitation.
King, one of the Saints’ most important players, has not played in the AFL since 2024 because of a persistent knee problem. Now he is recovering from a hamstring injury and rebuilding his fitness.
His twin brother Ben plays for Gold Coast and leads the Coleman Medal with 38 goals.
“It’s just part of his rehab, a change of environment. His brother is up there, so some real nourishment for him and a connection there,” Lyon said before Friday morning training.
“Get him away from the circus, probably, to be fair, and freshen him up.
“Again, nothing sinister – he’s going to play a lot of great footy for the Saints. It’s just a matter of time.”
King is listed on the St Kilda website as being one or two weeks away from playing.
“Ideally, clubs don’t have to do it. It’s sort of mandated,” Lyon said of the injury list.
“If you think rehab is an exact science and websites are exactly accurate, well, we’re all living in a fool’s paradise.
“Even our experts can’t tell us exactly when. It’s really simple – you either hit milestones and keep progressing, or you miss them.
“It’s not as rigid as everyone likes to think it is.”
Also on injuries, Lyon expected no new setbacks ahead of Sunday’s Marvel Stadium game against GWS.
Ross Lyon walks from the ground after the round 13 match between St Kilda and Sydney at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 7, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos
While the Saints are coming off losses to Hawthorn and last Sunday’s heartbreaker against Sydney, the Giants are coming out of their bye.
Previously, GWS had kicked 14 goals in a quarter against Brisbane and also dominated Melbourne.
Lyon said St Kilda’s last-gasp loss to the Swans was a great lesson for their younger players, noting all the old hands at the Saints had been through something similar.
Sydney managed to get the ball out of a stoppage to Jai Serong, who snapped the winning goal.
While the Saints are coming off losses to Hawthorn and last Sunday’s heartbreaker against Sydney, the Giants are coming out of their bye.
Previously, GWS had kicked 14 goals in a quarter against Brisbane and also dominated Melbourne.
Lyon said St Kilda’s last-gasp loss to the Swans was a great lesson for their younger players, noting all the old hands at the Saints had been through something similar.
Sydney managed to get the ball out of a stoppage to Jai Serong, who snapped the winning goal.
