ST KILDA has lost another important player as it prepares for Friday night's semi-final with Richmond, with key defender Jake Carlisle returning home to Victoria for the birth of his child.
Carlisle joins Paddy Ryder in leaving the club's hub in Noosa, with the experienced ruckman also returning to Victoria on Monday after scans revealed that hamstring tendon damage would end his season prematurely.
Meanwhile, the Saints have confirmed their intentions to challenge the Ben Long ban at the Tribunal.
The Match Review Officer suspended defender Long for his high bump on Western Bulldogs ball-magnet Jack Macrae (watch the incident below).
In a statement, St Kilda's chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said: "We thank Jake for staying as long as he possibly could before heading to NSW to be with Mel for the birth,"
"He has been away from his young family for a number of months now and we thank him for making that sacrifice. We support him in this decision and wish Jake, Mel, Nash and Layker all the best for the coming weeks.
"We gathered the players on Sunday night to thank both Jake and Paddy, who will return to Melbourne for assessment on his hamstring."
St Kilda qualified for Friday night's semi-final clash against Richmond after a pulsating three-point victory over the Western Bulldogs in Saturday night's elimination final.
Both Ryder and Carlisle played key roles in the victory, though the former's night ended in tears when he hurt his hamstring with just a minute remaining in the game.
