AFL 2025: St Kilda coach on recovering midfielder Paddy Dow

A St Kilda midfielder is making strides in his recovery from a knee setback as coach Ross Lyon emphasises the delicate nature of the situation.

Paddy Dow is making progress in his return from a knee setback, but St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says the midfielder’s recovery remains a “delicate” situation.

Dow was forced to undergo several operations on his knee during the Christmas break after starting his second pre-season at Moorabbin strongly.

The No.3 pick from the 2017 draft had a staph, which is a serious skin infection.

Lyon was asked about Dow’s progress after the Saints’ big round 1 loss to Adelaide on Sunday.

He said Dow has progressed out of non-load-bearing training but was under no rush.

“He had an infection in his knee, he had a staph – without all the gory details – he had a super summer, had a blister, had a staph on it, bumps his knee internally, goes up and then you’ve got a situation you’re dealing with,” he said.

Paddy Dow is making strides in his recovery but won’t be rushed back from his ‘delicate’ situation. Picture: Michael Klein

“It was a very significant period of time. He had a number of operations, we say ‘flush’ (out the knee) but he had seven litres of saline put through his knee a number of times in a number of days and arthroscopies.

“As a club we wrapped our care around him, went in every day and his family.

“He’s making ground, he’s finally got out of the pool to on legs.

“The human side is really important on this one … but anyone that understands what’s occurred understands how delicate and it’s going to be a bit of a haul for him.”