Daniel Hannebery’s injury woes continue with prized recruit to miss crunch clash at the Cattery
The Saints are desperate for a win but they will again be without Dan Hannebery as his problematic hamstring sidelines him for Saturday night’s crunch clash with Geelong.
High-priced St Kilda recruit Daniel Hannebery will miss a second-straight game with hamstring soreness.
Hannebery missed last weekend’s loss to North Melbourne and he will remain sidelined for the crunch clash against the Cats at GMHBA Stadium.
It is a blow for coach Alan Richardson who desperately needs wins in the final seven games of the season to save hos job for next year.
Hannebery has played only two games this season and is line to make his return against Western Bulldogs next week.
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St Kilda said Hannebery missed last weekend’s loss because he was being managed after two games back in the senior side.
But the club has since confirmed the premiership star is dealing with some hamstring soreness and faces a fitness test to return.
While the Saints were hopeful Hannebery would only miss one match, the club won’t take any risks with the 210-gamer so late in the season.
The latest hamstring problems continue a torrid first season at Moorabbin for Hannebery who has played only two of a possible 15 matches in 2019.
The club is now a long-shot to make finals in Richardson’s sixth year in the job, needing to win six of their last seven games to make the eight.
Another loss to Geelong will ramp up the pressure on Richardson who may need a finals berth to continue as coach next year.
Hannebery joined the club on a five-year deal worth up to $800,000-a-season but withdrew from the leadership group over the pre-season to focus on his own form and fitness.
The Saints parted with pick No. 39 in last year’s draft and a second-round pick from this year’s draft (currently No. 22) for Hannebery and pick No. 28.
Physiotherapist Andrew Wallis said Hannebery remained a chance to take on the Cats if he could meet all the requirements at training, after a light run on Tuesday.
“Dan Hannebery pulled up sore last week so we chose to rest him on the weekend,” Wallis said. “He will train on Thursday.
“A decision on his availability will be made after training on Thursday.”
Hannebery missed the first three months of the AFL season to “rebuild” his legs after a string of frustrating soft-tissue setbacks over the pre-season.
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Originally published as Daniel Hannebery’s injury woes continue with prized recruit to miss crunch clash at the Cattery