St Kilda may send Nathan Freeman overseas to solve hamstring issues

ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson says the Saints would consider sending Nathan Freeman to an overseas specialist to solve his ongoing hamstring issues.

St Kilda recruit Nathan Freeman. Picture: Michael Klein

ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson says the Saints would consider sending Nathan Freeman to an overseas specialist to solve his ongoing hamstring issues after his latest injury setback.

The luckless midfielder was forced to pull out of a VFL reserves match last weekend after experiencing hamstring tightness at training on Friday.

Richardson confirmed on Wednesday the latest setback would keep Freeman out of action for the next month, with the club not willing to take any risks with the 20-year-old.

The Saints’ coach said the club would now sit down with the former Magpie and No. 10 draft pick to discuss his recovery options, including seeking overseas advice and treatment.

“He’s taken a little bit of a step back there’s no doubt about that, but we knew long-term that this was going to be a challenging year,’’ Richardson said.

“We were going to continue, as we have, to raise the bar in terms of his intensity without necessarily playing him. I’m talking about the way that we train him and the way we repair him.

“We’ll revisit all that now, that’s what happens with players that don’t quite respond to the way that you planned for them to do. We’ll look at other options.

“I’m not sure about surgery, but in the past players have travelled overseas to look at experts that are just specifically experts in that particular field, that’s an option, but we’ll work through that with ‘Freezer’ and the medical staff over the next couple of days.’’

Nathan Freeman’s latest hamstring setback will keep him out for another month. Picture: Colleen Petch

Freeman, who was traded to the Saints last October, is yet to make his AFL debut after joining Collingwood in the 2013 national draft.

Richardson said the Saints were confident Freeman could put his hamstring issues behind him to carve out a strong career at the club.

“We haven’t nailed it yet, but we’re really confident we will,’’ Richardson said.

“We’re really confident that he’s a player that will add real value to our team long-term and we always knew that going in that it was going to be long term.

“As long as we get it right, it’s not about him playing one or two games this year, it’s about him having a strong career at our footy club, he’s only a young man.

“We’re still really positive that we are going to end up with the player that we traded for.’’

The Saints’ are counting the injury cost this week from their loss to Adelaide last Sunday.

Richardson said captain Nick Riewoldt (knee) remained a “50-50” chance to play against Carlton on Sunday and would need to get through some training today (Thursday).

“He is a guy that historically when he’s 50-50 that really means he’s a certainty,’’ he said.

“He’ll give himself every opportunity. He’ll need to do a little bit on Thursday ... but he’s a chance and in the past when he’s a chance he generally plays.

“We’ll just have to wait and see.’’

Alan Richardson says Nick Riewoldt is “50-50” to play this weekend. Picture: Getty Images

The Saints have lost Sean Dempster (knee) and Hugh Goddard (achilles), while Paddy McCartin has already been ruled out of the match against the Blues with concussion.

Richardson said the injuries would open up opportunities for others.

“We’ve got some guys that have been in pretty good form and had to keep chipping away and working on their game at VFL level,’’ he said.

“I refer to (Luke) Delaney, Tommy Lee has been in pretty good form back there, Blake Acres has gone back, (Jack) Sinclair, he was emergency and didn’t play, (Daniel) McKenzie pulled out the game late because he was crook in Adelaide.

“There is certainly some guys that have been in pretty good form.’’