Saints have a prayer despite injury crisis
ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon says his team is still a month away from making a dent on its massive injury list despite the impending return of ballwinner Seb Ross.
The Saints’ round 1 win over Fremantle came at a cost, with Jimmy Webster needing hand surgery and Jack Bytel still in hospital after suffering a cut to his leg.
Bytel was on a drip as doctors try to stave off infection and Lyon couldn’t say when he’ll return as St Kilda prepares to tackle the Western Bulldogs with 977 games of experience on the sidelines injured.
“We’re fortunate in a sense.
We’re hopeful Jimmy will only be a week, and Jack Bytel, unfortunately, he cut his leg – there was no boot involved, but the ground was pretty firm, so the risk is infection,” Lyon said on Thursday.
“If there’s no infection, he’ll get moving pretty quick, but he won’t play this week.”
Ross, who has been battling calf issues for the past year, should return to play the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, with Marcus Windhager also cleared to play.
“Windhager is available, and obviously he’s had a great summer, and Seb Ross (has to) get through training. He’s been training fully, so he’s just gotta get another one under his belt,” Lyon said.
“He’s one of our leaders, really highly respected, so if he gets through, I think it’ll be odds in his favour that he plays.”
Gun forwards Max King and Tim Membrey headline a worryingly long injury list that also includes first-choice players Nick Coffield (calf), Jack Billings (leg) and Zak Jones (Achilles).
“Outside the two we get back next week, we’re probably holding our breath for a month,” Lyon said on Thursday.
But Lyon said the injury list didn’t hamper them in taking down the Dockers last week, and the Bulldogs, smarting from an opening round smashing by Melbourne, would be wary of what they produced.
“We were very confident with what we rolled out [against Fremantle, I’ve said that publicly,” he said.
“That hasn’t changed. We’ve got no excuse.”