Max King injury: Saints spearhead to undergo more scans on knee

St Kilda’s Max King will go back in for scans after his troublesome right knee flared up at training this week. Jay Clark has the latest on the spearhead’s injury.

St Kilda spearhead Max King will undergo more scans on his troublesome right knee after experiencing sudden soreness at training late last week.

The man who has already gone under the knife twice this year on the problematic knee joint will have to meet with specialists this week for more assessments in another injury blow to the Saints.

King, 24, experienced a setback during some running at Moorabbin in another frustrating development for the key forward who hasn’t played at all this season because of the ongoing knee problems.

While the latest disappointment is not considered to be a major structural concern, more analysis will be conducted to assess whether there is another low-level irritation.

Max King and Max Heath at training in April. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

The club thought it had got on top of his knee troubles with a second round of arthroscopic surgery in April, but this latest blip has come as an unexpected setback.

The Saints have sorely missed King’s aerial presence in attack this season after being thumped in contested marks 18-9 in the heavy loss to Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.

They have lost the contested marking battle in nine of their 13 games this season at an average of seven less contested marks a game than their rivals.

But the club is attempting to help bolster their aerial game with a blockbuster move for Carlton’s Tom De Koning for next season.

The Saints are the frontrunners for De Koning with a $1.7 million-a-year long-term offer on the top of an eight-year contract extension for King last year.

Taken pick four in 2018, King is a crucial player for the Saints after booting 159 goals in 83 games across his first five seasons, but this year has been an ongoing nightmare for the Sandringham product.

The club is fighting to keep exciting playmaker Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera from heading home to South Australia amid bumper offers from Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

The Saints are also weighing up playing exciting marking defender Alix Tauru against Collingwood on Saturday night after his most promising VFL performance of the season on Saturday.

Tauru, who was taken pick 10 in the national draft, had 12 marks and 16 disposals, and shone with his aerial craft in a 65-point loss to Southport.

Alixzander Tauru could make his debut this weekend. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Tauru, slick runner Darcy Wilson (32 disposals) and Hugh Boxshall (30), are all in the frame to take on the Magpies as the Saints look to more youth.

Small forward Dan Butler, who was subbed out against the Bulldogs, Zak Jones and youngster Tobie Travaglia, could all come under selection pressure for the clash against the top-placed Magpies.

The Saints are confident in their direction in Ross Lyon’s third season in charge after investing heavily in the draft as part of a significant list turnover which saw the club start the season with the fifth-youngest squad in the league.

But King is unlikely to play AFL again this season as the club sets his focus on preparing him for 2026.

It is unclear whether he needs more surgery as medicos attempt to find the cause for his latest knee pain as part of a problem which has been difficult to fix and confounded specialists at times across the season.

The Sandringham product told the Herald Sun late last year he was desperate to help guide the Saints up the ladder after shoulder and knee problems ended his year early last season.

“I still feel proud of how I have carried myself and I know people have been frustrated with my output and I am probably the number one person who is the most frustrated,” King said.

“So when I look back at the past five years, no, there is not much satisfaction there.

“But I’m hungry and feel like there is more to give, so I’m definitely excited for the next block.”