‘Get to work’: Max King, Tim Membrey could fire Saints to finals, says Ross Lyon

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has called on his two best key forwards to deliver as they play together for the first time this season on Sunday.

Max King and Tim Membrey are the keys to a St Kilda form revival, says Ross Lyon. Picture: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says luckless forwards Max King and Tim Membrey are the key to unlocking the Saints’ best football in the pursuit of a finals spot.

The formidable duo booted 158 goals between them in 2021 and 2022, but injuries have prevented them from playing together at all this season – until they face Richmond on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.

Persistent knee problems have spoiled Membrey’s season, but the 29-year-old was recalled after two games in the VFL at the expense of first-year revelation Anthony Caminiti.

Membrey had made it back for four games before he was sidelined ahead of round 10, which was the same week King returned from a shoulder reconstruction only to re-injure the joint six games later.

Ross Lyon praised the efforts of the Saints’ young forward line, but says it’s time for Max King and Tim Membrey to take control of their attack in the final rounds. Picture: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

With the pair finally set to join forces in the Saints’ forward line, Lyon put the onus on them to help the side lift its performance, as it needs at least two wins against Richmond, Geelong and Brisbane to cling on to its spot in the top eight.

The coach said any side was a chance to contend for the premiership if they could enter the finals with a relatively clean bill of health, as three of the top four teams battle a significant dip in form.

“We’ve been up and down a bit, we’re trying to play our best footy, and Tim Membrey will help that – he’s a power forward, him and Max kicked 68 goals between them last year and we basically haven’t had them,” Lyon said.

“Our young forward line has done their best, but maybe it’s the right time for King and Membrey to get to work.

Veteran midfielder Seb Ross will also return against Richmond after missing four games with a hamstring injury. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

“I don’t think there’s a super dominant team in the competition. If anyone can get there fit and healthy, I think they’ve got a chance.”

Lyon was impressed with King’s two-goal return last week and said the St Kilda midfielders could have targeted him more during the 19-point loss to Carlton.

“I think it was a good mental effort to take it on and do what he did – he kicked a few, gave us a real target,” Lyon said.

“I didn’t think we were Max-conscious too much, we shared it around, but we’d like to give him more opportunities.

“We were pretty positive overall for three quarters – obviously disappointed with our last. They really got hold of us at stoppages, which we knew was their strength.”

Lyon praised Richmond’s blend of experience and youth but could not resist a jab at his opponent’s infamous recent record at Marvel Stadium.

The Tigers have failed to win in their last seven appearances at the Docklands venue, including last week’s 55-point thrashing at the hands of the Bulldogs.

“They’ve got a good system, they love playing at Marvel apparently,” he quipped.