St Kilda has confirmed defender Sean Dempster is seriously considering his AFL future.
Dempster was left out of the Saints' round one clash with Melbourne last Saturday, and also didn't feature in Sandringham's VFL practice match on Sunday.
Journalist Damian Barrett reported the news on Channel Nine's The Footy Show on Wednesday night, and said Dempster was contemplating his future in the game.
St Kilda football manager Jamie Cox said there is no tension between club and player over Dempster's decisionย in a statement on the club website on Thursday.
"Sean has been an absolute warrior for the Saints for many years," Cox said.
"At the moment, he is seeking medical advice to best equip him to make a decision regarding his future as an AFL footballer.
"Whilst the medical consultation Sean is currently receiving coincides with him not being selected in the Saints senior team, there is no ill will between Sean and the club.
"He continues to receive our full support.
"Sean is a very private person and we wish to respect that while he seeks this advice."
Saints coach Alan Richardson said the reason he was left out of St Kilda's opening round side was his poor run of recent form.