St Kilda will be without forward Max King for the remainder of the season after a trio of senior figures sustained injuries inย Saturday's matchup against Melbourne.
King was subbed out of the game in the first quarter after hurting his shoulder in the opening moments of the match, with the star forward's previously-hindered left shoulder 'popping' after a contest with Demon Steven May.
The Saints were soon down another man after Seb Ross suffered a hamstring injury and was placed on ice, with the Saints instantly undermanned against Melbourne, who ran out 21-point victors at Marvel Stadium.
Zaine Cordy would soon suffer a head knock in a marking contest to join King and Ross on the interchange in the first quarter, with all three players ruled out for the remainder of the match.
"It was a unique experience, I hadn't experienced that for a while," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said after the loss.
"It happened quickly. King first, his shoulder popped out which is really more (sad) for the young lad than the club. As a team I thought we coped.
"Then Ross, which we hadn't had a hamstring (injury) all year. I didn't even see Cordy get concussed, and he's worked hard for an opportunity.
"I thought the group showed good character and capacity to run and work. Particlaiury early in the last quarter, I thought we had control of the game. Just couldn't execute."
Cordy will now enter the AFL's concussion protocols and automatically miss his side's Round 18 bout with Gold Coast next week, while Ross is anticipated to also miss the trip to Carrara.
Lyon confirmed to 3AW on Sunday that King's 2023 campaign was over after dislocating his shoulder, with surgery required.
"He'll see a surgeon... he's done for the year," Lyon said.
"It was a dislocation (of the shoulder) out the front. Heartbreaking for us, but he will return. I feel for the King family and for the boy himself."
St Kilda's acting football boss David Misson confirmed the club is yet to learn the exact timeline for King's return.
โThis is a really disappointing setback for Max,โ
โWe'll have a better understanding of his return to play timeline after surgery.โ
The Saints could see Hunter Clark (knee) and Jack Hayes (hamstring/foot) make timely returns for next week's game against the Suns, with the duo returning through the VFL on Sunday for Sandringham.
Midfielder Jack Bytel has been impressive for the Zebras in recent weeks after returning from an abdomen injury and could fill the void left by Ross, while Saturday night's tactical sub Ryan Byrnes would also be in the mix for a starting role.
The Saints and Suns face off at Heritage Bank Stadium next Saturday at 2:10pm (AEST).
