Eight St Kilda players are reportedly expected to undergo surgery ahead of the Saints' 2024 pre-season program.
St Kilda bowed out of this year's finals series after going down to GWS at the MCG last Saturday afternoon, falling by 24 points.
With few major expectations heading into the year, St Kilda's 2023 campaign - Ross Lyon's first since returning to Moorabbin - was largely a promising one.
However, it hasn't come without a host of Saints becoming banged-up, particularly skipper Jack Steele (ankle), key forward Max King (shoulder), and hard-nosed midfielder Brad Crouch (thumb), who are just three of a whopping eight Saints preparing to go under the knife this off-season.
Steele will undergo surgery next week, as will King, who will likely be sidelined for three months, while Crouch underwent a knee arthroscope in addition to his upcoming thumb surgery, according to a St Kilda club update on Thursday.
Further, breakout wingman Mason Wood (shoulder and collarbone), forward Dan Butler (ankle), Dougal Howard (finger), Jack Hayes (knee), and rookie James Van Es (ankle) will all undergo an operation of some kind in the lead-up to the 2024 season.
St Kilda Acting General Manager of Football David Misson assured the regularity of the numerous surgeries.
"The surgeries are all reasonably routine," Misson said on Thursday afternoon.
"By getting them done now, we're confident all players will be ready for full training post-Christmas, with some also being available prior to the new year break.
"This also allows them to have some pain-free time off to relax and recuperate after a long season."
The Saints' five-year-plus players will re-convene post-Christmas to commence their 2024 pre-season.