Great news for Max
Prized Saint avoids major setback
ST KILDA’s prized AFL draft pick Max King feared the worst when he landed heavily on his reconstructed right knee.
But the news is good for King and the Saints, with scans confirming he has not ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament again.
While King also has a sore ankle and his AFL debut will be delayed, the outcome is much better than originally feared at Sunday’s VFL match.
“Hopefully I get back out there soon,” King said.
“It didn’t feel great — I just landed on it really poorly.
“But I guess it’s a good sign that the knee held up structurbuild the fitness base he has used to turn himself into a regular midfielder
“Bont and I went away and wanted to broaden our horizons. We found ourselves at Nike in Portland with an NFL-style coach, then in San ally. It was a bit of a scary moment though.”
King’s parents were at the game and were emotional after the incident.
The No.4 draft pick landed awkwardly in a marking contest during the first quarter of Sandringham’s clash with Werribee on Sunday afternoon at Trevor Barker Oval.
He left the field for assessment and was quickly sent for scans, which ruled out a fresh ACL tear.
King was playing his fifth VFL game back from the knee Diego with an Olympic coach,” Dunkley said. “They pushed us to our limits and we learned a lot. I’m really close with Bont … and it’s great to be committing to the club for another couple of years alongside him.”
Dunkley said the club was reconstruction and there was speculation before this setback that he would make his AFL debut in Saturday’s clash with Brisbane at Docklands.
“Obviously, we were concerned, based on his history, but it looks like it was more a jarred knee with no disruption to the previous graft,” Saints football chief Simon Lethlean said yesterday.
“His parents were a bit concerned and emotional, as you would be. He’s a talented kid who’s had a strong 14 months of rehabbing to get himself “building something special” with a strong commitment from a young group and Daniel agreed.
“It’s great to have a young group stick together. For the future of the footy club it’s great,” Daniel said. right so, to get a bit of positive news for the Saints is good.”
Star recruit Dan Hannebery had a solid hitout for Sandringham and should make his Saints debut against the Lions.
Western Bulldogs star Tom Liberatore has also escaped an ACL tear but will require exploratory surgery to determine the extent of cartilage damage from an incident in Saturday night’s thrilling win over Carlton at Docklands.
Liberatore has undergone two knee reconstructions.
“We’re building something special and hopefully we can push forward in the future.”
Liberatore is expected back in four to six weeks after successful surgery on his knee which he injured in the win over the Blues. playing the way you want to play then your confidence can take a bit of a hit,” Sinclair (pictured) said.
“I was a full-time uni student, coming to the end of my course. I was going around town in Perth, applying for jobs. I had a handful of job interviews but luckily enough I was drafted. I was extremely determined to live out my dream ... it seems like only yesterday. I was keen to be given an opportunity at AFL level, 100 games is something I’m really proud of.”
Sinclair has become one of the most respected players at the SCG. The ruckman was voted best clubman in 2017 while his strong relationships with teammates have resulted in some insightful interviews on Conversations with Cal, a podcast the Swans launched this year.
Sinclair described his form as “a little bit patchy” in 2019, but felt both he and Sydney returned to their best during a last-start win over West Coast.
“I’d like to think I made some improvements and got some energy back into my game,” he said.