Hun's Jon Ralph on the saints

[saynta]

ST KILDA has been handed a rare slice of positive injury news with Jimmy Webster a chance to take on West Coast on Saturday night.

The Saints running defender played out the fighting loss to GWS with what coach Alan Richardson believed was a broken hand that could have put him out for a month.

But Webster, sixth in the best-and-fairest last year despite only 17 games, has been cleared of a fracture and could still play despite significant swelling.

The Saints have been decimated by a series of injuries to star players including Dan Hannebery, captain Jarryn Geary, Patrick McCartin, Dylan Roberton and Jake Carlisle.

Carlisle is on track to return after the club’s round 12 bye after back surgery that has seen him miss the entire year.

Star midfielder Jack Steven is also out with what the club has termed an “extended break” from football to deal with his mental health battle.

Coach Alan Richardson said last week he wasn’t sure if Steven would return this year.

But it is understood he is keen to play again after getting care for his mental health issues, with Steven to continue a level of training despite his battle.

Dan Hannebery has also started to make encouraging progress after a series of soft-tissue concerns that have delayed his St Kilda debut.

The Saints were well beaten on the scoreboard by GWS in Canberra on Saturday but would have closed to within 12 points of the Giants had Matt Parker kicked a set shot goal.

The club is schooling high draft pick Nick Coffield as a lock-down defender who can rebound in the VFL, with Hunter Clark back in the senior side.

Max King could make his return to football after an ACL tear in the VFL this week or next after encouraging progress.

— Jon Ralph

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

Positive.

Good to see they are developing Coff. Clark will get better. Patience is required with these two.

Really looking forward to seeing Carlisle, Hanners and King play at some stage.

[Linton Lodger]

"Carlisle is on track to return after the club’s round 12 bye after back surgery that has seen him miss the entire year." Oh yeah!

"Dan Hannebery has also started to make encouraging progress after a series of soft-tissue concerns that have delayed his St Kilda debut." Heard Dan is now sprinting and saying he's 4 weeks away.

[beebarry]

How much would we all love Hannebury to start playing and start smashing it in the middle as we had all hoped? ( a lot )

How much would I enjoy reading the retractions and back peddling from the media, especially D Barrat ? (even more)

How likely is all of this? ( I think a bit more likely than the doomsday prophesizers think )

Before I'm shouted down for being a Pollyanna type optimist - no one thought we would be 4-2 by now. Yes we haven't yet got ourselves a big scalp yet, but last years GF teams in the next two weeks present an opportunity.

Hoping as many as possible get to Marvel on Saturday night and try and make it a bit of a cauldron - like it always is when we go West. (and unlike it was against the Crows)

FWIW - The glass is still half full from where I sit.

[stkfc1]

Unless Webs hand is 100% dont risk.him. Bring in White or Hind and give them a run. Bruce is showing why u dont play players who arent 100%. A defender needs to be able to punch the ball both hands and Web would be every chance to further damage his hand. Im hoping our medical staff are all over this one. Can't keep loosing players long term especially if its avoidable.

[Cairnsman]

We are going to really good in the back half of the season if we can have some luck. Finals is possible if we have luck and don't drop off too far before some players get back

[DJ Higgins]

Unless Webs hand is 100% dont risk.him. Bring in White or Hind and give them a run. Bruce is showing why u dont play players who arent 100%. A defender needs to be able to punch the ball both hands and Web would be every chance to further damage his hand. Im hoping our medical staff are all over this one. Can't keep loosing players long term especially if its avoidable.

Agree 100% if we ruin his hand for no real reason we will be absolute fools. PLus pump some game into white/Hind.