AFL 2024: Promising signs for St Kilda forward Dan Butler as Jack Sinclair steps up injury rehab
The St Kilda injury list is slowly shrinking as Dan Butler picked up speed on Monday. And a midfielder joined in training after a nasty incident earlier this month.
Dan Butler picked up speed and Jack Sinclair took some early steps towards round 1 as St Kilda showed signs of clearing its injury list on Monday.
Butler has had a tough pre-season after ankle surgery in December and is in doubt for a round 1 clash in Geelong.
He only stepped into running on grass last week, but hit decent speeds on Monday as he pushed through a running session.
Butler then did some light kicking with tall Jack Hayes, who is working through his own knee issue.
Two-time defending best-and-fairest winner Sinclair was also on light duties, spending much of the session doing exercises on his sore calf with young tall James Van Es.
He moved well and St Kilda remains confident he will play in round 1, but the All-Australian will skip the club’s upcoming practice matches.
Zak Jones stepped out on track but remained in concussion protocols after copping a recent knock at training.
He only did some light running before heading into the gym for a bike session.
In better news for the Saints, Hunter Clark rejoined the main group as he works his way back from a facial fracture and concussion.
The midfielder wore a non-contact fluoro hat but joined in the entirety of a light session and is tracking well to be available for round 1.
As Saints forwards enjoyed some goalkicking practice at the end of the session, Clark and onballer Brad Crouch pounded through some extra running.
Recruit Paddy Dow (knee) remained off the track but has been on track in his rehab and is hopeful of stepping up his training next week.
St Kilda hosts Essendon at RSEA Park in an unofficial practice game on Friday before meeting North Melbourne at the same venue on March 3.
DECISION TIME
The Saints are yet to lock in a captain for this year, even though Jack Steele remains highly likely to retain the role.
The players will vote at Moorabbin this week.
Steele has skippered the club solo through the last two seasons, having shared the role with Jarryn Geary in 2021.
Callum Wilkie was vice-captain last year in an All-Australian season, with Tim Membrey, Seb Ross and Jack Sinclair in the leadership group.
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