Roberton’s return to training lifts St Kilda

ST Kilda coach Alan Richardson has hailed Dylan Roberton’s return to training as a significant morale boost at the bottom-four AFL club.

Roberton is back running as he continues to undergo tests for his heart condition.

The Saints take on Carlton tonight.

The Saints defender, who made the initial All-Australian squad last season, has not played any football since collapsing during the round-four loss to Geelong. He will not return this season, but Richardson said Roberton was making good progress.

Richardson compared Roberton to Paddy McCartin, who has revealed he wondered a year ago if he would return to the AFL as he recovered from a succession of concussions.

“Definitely, it gives the guys a lift,” Richardson said of Roberton’s progress.

“To hear Paddy say he was thinking he mightn’t play again, I reckon Robbo would have had those thoughts.

“That’s starting to shift to the positive and the players would be aware of that.”

Richardson added Roberton’s training was going well as doctors continued to run tests on his heart.

“He’s not doing everything the boys are doing, but he’s really upped the ante in terms of his running volume and speed,” Richardson said.

“So far the medicos are really pleased.”

He said when Roberton returned to playing, he would be like a boom recruit.

“It will be like going to the draft or going to the trade period and bringing in a bloke who last year was an All-Australian nomination,” he said.

The Saints, who have won two of their past three games, will host Carlton tonight at Etihad Stadium.

Despite the lowly status of the two teams, Richardson has defended them playing in the prime Friday-night timeslot.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how our footy stacks up when it’s a slightly bigger occasion,” he said.