St Kilda has confirmed forward Max King suffered a season-ending knee injury during Sunday's narrow loss to Port Adelaide.
King suffered damage to his posterior cruciate ligament during the third quarter of the defeat but remained in the game as the result hung in the balance.
The hurt knee is not the same one that underwent ACL reconstruction during King's draft year. Knee and shoulder concerns have also hampered the former top five draft selection in recent years.
King went goalless in the game, collecting 10 disposals and booting two behinds while sharing his duties in the ruck.
“This is a very disappointing outcome for Max,” Saints football boss David Misson said in a club update.
“It's a credit to Max's commitment to his teammates that he played out the game on Sunday, but for his long-term future and health, it's important we now give his knee some time to rest and recover.
“While this will see Max miss the rest of the season, pleasingly he doesn't require surgery, and this course of action will place him in the best possible position to attack pre-season.”
The injury comes as the Saints prepare to be without forward Anthony Caminiti for a period of time following a fresh ankle injury.
Caminiti, who has switched to defence in recent weeks, might've been viewed as the player to help fill King's void in attack.
“Anthony will meet with a specialist on Thursday, which will give more clarity to provide a return to play timeline,” Misson said of Caminit on Tuesday.
Caminiti joins Brad Crouch and Jack Hayes, who have both suffered knee injuries, in being listed without a clear return timeframe.
Young defender James Van Es has been sidelined for the season following an ankle injury sustained earlier this year.
