St Kilda are set to keep senior midfielder Brad Crouch in the VFL for at least another week despite the onballer's dominant form at the level since returning from injury.
Crouch hasn't been seen in coach Ross Lyon's side since the club's season-opener against Geelong, with the ex-Crow dropped at selection the following week.
Knee surgery has since kept the 30-year-old on the sidelines until this month, with Crouch returning via the Sandringham Zebras on May 19 after being cleared to play.
The inside midfielder had 38 disposals, four tackles, five clearances, 19 contested possessions and six score involvements in a successful return game, with the Zebras managing a 110-point win over Richmond's reserves.
Crouch remained in the VFL last week as he continued to build his workloads and collected another 33 disposals, seven marks and six clearances in a win over Casey to bring himself into the selection mix.
But despite the Saints' current woes at the top level and his impressive form for Sandringham, Crouch won't secure a recall for this week's trip to Western Australia.
"No (Crouch won't play)," Lyon confirmed on Thursday. "I said to him: 'We really miss you and we'd love you in'.
"He's such a ball magnet, he was probably leading our best and fairest for most of the year until he got a bit sore. Unfortunately that knee and the [arthroscopes] derailed his season.
"He's back for two (games in the VFL), hopefully gets one more and then can get back for the Gold Coast or Brisbane game.
"We've sorely missed him. Hopefully he'll get there."
Crouch will instead likely suit up for the Zebras for the fourth time this year when they face Frankston on Saturday night, with fellow senior Saints Tim Membrey, Dan Butler, Zak Jones and Hunter Clark also pressing a case for recalls.
The Zebras are set to be bolstered by the recruitment of Box Hill midfielder Max Hall, who has joined the Saints this week via the Mid-Season Draft.
Noted as one of the more promising onballer's in the competition, Hall is in line to slot int alongside Crouch and Jones in midfield under coach Jake Batchelor as he looks to make further strides toward an AFL debut.
"We're very pleased to welcome Max to St Kilda," St Kilda talent identification and player movement manager Simon Dalrymple told the club's media team.
"Max has been a player we've kept tabs on for some time now and we're thrilled to have him as a part of our list.
"He's a tough midfielder/half-forward who comes equipped with speed, endurance and tenacity, but also has good football smarts and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
"We wish Max all the best during his time at St Kilda and look forward to welcoming him and his family to RSEA Park."
The Saints fly to Perth this weekend to face the Eagles at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon before returning to Marvel Stadium a week later to host the Gold Coast Suns.