Former top 10 draft pick Hunter Clark is readying himself for a second stint on the sidelines after sustaining a shoulder injury during St Kilda's 11-point win over Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

The 22-year-old is expected to miss six weeks of action after coming from the ground mid-way through the final quarter following a high-speed collision with Essendon midfielder, Darcy Parish.

The predicted layoff comes off the back of Clark missing a month-and-a-half of football during the Saints' 2021 season.

Within the Moorabbin men's Round 13 loss to Adelaide last June, the Dandenong Stingray's product sustained three fractures to his jaw as a result of recently retired Crow David Mackay's errant bump.

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Speaking in the wake of the injury-marred win over the 2021 finalists, St Kilda steward Brett Ratten suggested that while without scans, the club was content to provide an early prognosis.

"Clark will be probably six weeks with an AC [joint]/shoulder [injury]," Ratten was quoted by AFL Media.

"He might require some surgery I'm not sure completely there but scans will reveal that. He will be out for at least a month."

With this latest collision providing Clark with his second impact injury sustained in just nine quarters of football, there remains a consensus view that the 2017 draftee would be best served altering his approach to the contest.

However, Ratten claimed that he had no plans to curb Clark's enthusiasm.

"We don't want to take that away from him and that's the stuff we're pushing him to keep doing as a player. It's a bit of a signature for him to do that. I think it shows great courage for him to do what he did, especially after that broken jaw," he said.

"He's maybe a little bit too brave at times but he was a little bit unlucky. I think it was the right angle and he had [his arm] stretched out so he's a bit unfortunate."

It is worth remembering that Clark was also left feeling ill effects at this very point of the year in 2021 following a collision with Carlton's Zac Williams during last pre-season.

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Should Ratten's timeline remain accurate, Clark can expect to miss St Kilda's opening five fixtures against Collingwood, Fremantle, Richmond, Hawthorn and Gold Coast.

Given four successive contests with finalists from last season - GWS, Port Adelaide, Melbourne and Geelong - loom large in the month to follow, those aligned with the Saints will have everything crossed that the Padua College graduate will be cleared before this crescendo in their campaign.

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Prior to his departure from the Docklands' surface, Clark had collected 16 disposals, hauled in five marks and kickstarted three chains from stoppages, all coming from an increased role at centre bounces.

The Clark-less Saints will spend the week ahead recuperating before commencing their season proper under Friday night lights at Marvel against Collingwood on March 18.

Ratten will also be sweating on the fitness of Jack Billings (hamstring), Daniel McKenzie (ankle), Paddy Ryder (Achilles), Jarryn Geary (shoulder) and Dan Hannebery (groin) ahead of this clash with the Pies.

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Recent reports suggest that Hannebery, 31, will be asked to prove his fitness via the VFL before being afforded the opportunity to play just his 16th game in red, white and black since joining the club ahead of the 2019 season.

Fellow ex-Swan Zak Jones won't be considered for senior selection, with the 26-year-old takingย time away from Moorabbin for personal reasons.ย 

Billings is expected to miss as much as a month after pulling up lame during the opening term on Saturday night.