Mason Wood fit to play Gold Coast amid ‘stressful’ injury toll

One of St Kilda’s best this season has overcome an injury concern as Ross Lyon admits the injury crisis has become “stressful”.

Mason Wood will play against Gold Coast in round 4 despite hurting his shoulder against the Bombers. Picture: Michael Klein

St Kilda wingman Mason Wood has been cleared to face Gold Coast as coach Ross Lyon hopes he can continue with his red-hot start to the season.

Wood is averaging 24 disposals, eight marks, a goal and goal assist in his first three games as he makes effective use of his 192cm frame and precise left boot on the wing, with Lyon pleased he pulled up well from his best-on-ground performance against Essendon.

Lyon said the Saints’ ongoing injury crisis had been “quite stressful”, as they also faced five to six weeks without defender Jimmy Webster (fractured cheekbone).

“(Wood) will train and play – he’s fine, so it turned out to be lower grade, it just didn’t look good I think,” Lyon said.

“It’s hard to measure levels but I know when he was at North he was very talented … had injury interruptions.

Mason Wood trained with his shoulder strapped on Thursday. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

“He’s played good football here, I think he had some ripper games last year. When the team’s buying in, it probably helps his role a little bit.”

Lyon said the 29-year-old had been a superb influence on St Kilda’s younger players off the field.

“He’s trained really hard, he’s great with our young fellas, has them around for dinner and helps bring their professionalism along,” he said.

“He brings a lot to the table, which culturally as a senior coach is great to have.”

Liam Stocker will also be fit to face the Suns on Saturday night after rolling his ankle against the Bombers, while Lyon appeared to put a line through picking Max Heath or Tom Campbell to partner Rowan Marshall after the duo performed impressively in the VFL.

Lyon said Zaine Cordy’s work as the relief ruckman and Marshall’s capacity to ruck large portions of the game meant he was reluctant to change the Saints’ balance.

Western Bulldogs bargain recruit Zaine Cordy has impressed with his competitiveness as a ruckman and smarts up forward. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

“Not typically (would he pick two ruckmen), we came up against Sean Darcy and Jackson … I think Zaine Cordy has been fantastic through there, he’s a really smart player,” Lyon said.

“Row laps up the work, so we just manage him a bit Monday to Friday, (he trains) a bit less than the others.”

Lyon said he was buoyed by injured senior players including Zak Jones “begin to move” and joked that the returns of Max King and Tim Membrey in coming weeks “better not” change the way the unbeaten Saints are playing.

He said he had not given much thought to how the side would adapt to include its returning stars, preferring to keep his absent players to one side.

“It’s quite stressful losing really good players. They can’t help me, so I just put them to sleep until they’re available,” Lyon said.

“When you’re available, I’ll start thinking about you.”