St Kilda comfortable giving two of its best youngsters ‘clear runway’ in return from injury

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has a long-term lens on two of his brightest talents as one edges closer to a return from injury.

The future is at the forefront of St Kilda coach Ross Lyon’s mind when it comes to two of the club’s brightest young stars.

Mattaes Phillipou is set to be available for selection next week after recovering from a fractured femur while Max King is out indefinitely with another knee setback.

But Lyon is happy to err on the side of caution with both emerging guns, earmarking Phillipou and King as 10-year players.

Lyon says the Saints need to ensure they aren’t rushing Phillipou back next week and will eventually base their decision on form.

“That’s the art form, we think he’s available for selection next week, if everyone plays well he’s no chance to come in, if people don’t deliver, do we take the risk” he said.

“He’s a bit like Max King, it’s not six weeks, (or) six years, he’s 10 years, we’ve got to make sure we don’t throw him to the wolves, it’s a very difficult environment.

“We’re not at that bridge yet, he’s still got to get through the next few weeks but he’s hitting all his markers and milestones and he’s progressing.”

St Kilda is erring on the side of caution with young gun Matteas Phillipou. Picture: Jack Cahill, St Kilda FC

Max King is taking slow steps in his recovery from a knee injury. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

King underwent another bout of surgery this week on the troublesome knee which has so far hindered his 2025 campaign.

Lyon believes King’s progression as a player is ahead of schedule, referencing the timeline it took for key forwards Joe Daniher and Jesse Hogan to hit their peak.

“The scar tissue was rolling over and nine out of 10 pain at different times, I am confident we got to it,” he said.

“It’s going to be a fair period of time, you’re not going to see Max until like the late end of the season and that’s OK.

“Is it disappointing for Max and us? Yes. But we’ve got a power forward, he had a great summer, his knee is structurally sound, it gives him clear runway whenever that is.

“You look at Daniher, you look at Hogan, like Max is 24 I think, when you think of Hogan and Daniher, they’re hitting their peak around 29, 30, 31.

“Because of all the challenges right, geewiz, if Max can just have a good run at it I think he’s going to hit his straps well before 29.”

Originally published as St Kilda comfortable giving two of its best youngsters ‘clear runway’ in return from injury