ST KILDA spearhead Max King is closing in on a return following a lengthy layoff with a knee issue.
The key forward is tracking towards a potential comeback in round seven when the Saints meet West Coast.
St Kilda got its season back on track on Sunday night with a win over Port Adelaide to close out Gather Round, moving it to 2-3 after a shaky start to its campaign.
Speaking post-match, coach Ross Lyon said reinforcements could be on the way sooner than expected, confirming King is progressing well in his recovery.
POWER v SAINTS Full match coverage and stats
"Max King is coming on quick. Really quick," he said.
"(Liam) Henry's coming quick too. So there's a bit to add to this group.
"It's round 5. (King's return) won't be round six. We think all tracking well he will play round seven. Where he plays we don't know (VFL or AFL).
"He's an untapped prospect on our list."
King's horror run with knee injuries sidelined him for the entire 2025 season, with his last AFL appearance coming in round 16, 2024.
The 25-year-old underwent further knee surgery in December, before suffering a calf injury when he integrated back into training in January.
King's estimated return has been listed as 'TBC' on the Saints' weekly injury update, but the after a 652-day absence, he is nearing a return.
The Saints re-signed King to a six-year deal in 2024, tying him to the club until 2032.
Liam Henry (hamstring) is also close to returning after missing the opening six rounds of the season.
St Kilda will remain in Adelaide for the week before facing the Crows on Saturday night.
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20:08
Mini-Match: Port Adelaide v St Kilda
Extended highlights of the Power and Saints clash in round five of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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09:32
Full post-match, R5: Saints
Watch St Kilda’s press conference after round five’s match against Port Adelaide
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07:05
Full post-match, R5: Power
Watch Port Adelaide’s press conference after round five’s match against St Kilda
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03:28
Quick Recap: Port Adelaide v St Kilda
Short highlights of the Power and Saints clash in round five of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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08:13
Highlights: Port Adelaide v St Kilda
The Power and Saints clash in round five of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
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01:04
‘I didn’t say anything bad’: Butters hits back on umpire dissent
Zak Butters delivers a raw post-match response after being reported for dissent, insisting he said nothing inappropriate and will ‘follow it up’
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00:43
Clutch Phillipou flushes monster after costly Aliir howler
Mattaes Phillipou breaks away and launches a huge finish from beyond 50 after Aliir Aliir turns the footy over at the wrong time
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00:33
JSOS swarmed as huge moment brings mixed emotions
Jack Silvagni boots a big-time goal and sparks the celebrations after Jason Horne-Francis is penalised for failing to stand the mark
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00:48
Big fireworks as Butters rocks Nasiah with huge tackle
Superstars collide as Zak Butters lays a crunching tackle on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera in a fiery moment on the wing
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00:43
Elite Nas continues to damage with sweet snap
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera collects cleanly and nails his second goal of the night with a classy finish
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01:14
'Someone said something': Port stars fume at costly call
Mitch Owens is taken to the goalsquare after Port Adelaide is penalised for dissent in this incident involving Zak Butters and Ollie Wines
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00:32
Electric Saints slam two in seconds in clinical centre runs
Hugo Garcia drills a beautiful finish straight out of the middle before Max Hall curls a quick shot just moments later
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00:38
Fired-up Butters lands timely blow with 'rare' goal
Zak Butters finds a moment of space to thread his first major of the season and doesn't he love it
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00:55
Saint brings the early heat and Wood's impact is neat
Mason Wood bends his side's second major after Dan Butler's terrific rundown tackle forces the turnover
