Saints spearhead set for long-awaited return to football

Max King is back.

But it will be via the VFL this weekend, with the St Kilda spearhead making his long-awaited comeback against Gold Coast reserves at RSEA Park on Sunday.

Despite considering a return straight to AFL level, the Saints decided against it after only two weeks of full training.

King will also have his playing time carefully managed in the VFL hitout, but it’s a significant step forward for a player who has not played at AFL level since Round 16, 2024.

King managed just 23 games across the 2023 and 2024 seasons before entering the footy wilderness.

King’s injury nightmare goes all the way back to the 2023 and 2024 seasons in which he played only 23 games before entering the footy wilderness.

The 202cm forward has been plagued by multiple knee surgeries, soft tissue tears and a shoulder reconstruction.

A long-awaited return to form and fitness would inject an exciting new dynamic into a Saints side craving his marking power.

St Kilda currently sit 13th with a 2-4 record.