Injured Saints duo Dan Hannebery and Jade Gresham are progressing well after respective calf and Achilles injuries, according to defender Callum Wilkie.
Speaking on SEN’s The Run Home, Wilkie gave an update on the pair's recovery after an injury stricken 2021 season which saw Hannebery and Gresham limited to just two and three games respectively.
Hannebery, who made his debut at the Saints in 2019 after ten seasons at Sydney, has managed just 15 games at St Kilda across three seasons after ongoing calf and groin injuries.
“(Hannebery’s) going pretty well. He’s on a different program to a lot of other people, the injuries that he’s had in the past, it’s not viable to have him on the track every session carrying the same loads as the young players are doing,” Wilkie told SEN.
“It’s all about managing his load and just making sure he’s getting through each session and getting through unscathed.
“He’s massive for us and not just his football ability, but his leadership on-field and off-field, setting people up, he provides so much to the club.”
Gresham's unlucky run with injury continued in 2021 after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in Round 3. The disrupted season came after the 24-year-old managed just 11 games in 2020 after being sidelined with a stress fracture in his lower back.
Wilkie revealed that the club is being cautious with their young star after his injury troubles, but that he is progressing well.
“He’s tracking good. Just coming into training at the moment and from all reports his fitness is going well and he’s been looking good, they’re probably just not taking any risks with him,” Wilkie said.
“I can’t wait for him to come back out on the field with us, he’s such a pivotal piece in our team and he provides so much.”
Reports suggest Gresham is on track to play in St Kilda's intra-club match after sitting out a recent match simulation, while the club will officially face Carlton and Essendon in pre-season games starting at the end of the month.
Meanwhile, former skipper Jarryn Geary seems to be on track to play Round 1 after suffering a broken leg and shoulder reconstruction in 2021. The 33-year-old is transitioning into training with the main group after spending most of last season on the sidelines.