"Imminent": King news Saints fans have been waiting for

Max King’s return to AFL “is imminent” according to St Kilda assistant coach Robert Harvey.

The star has not played elite level AFL since mid-2024 due to an ongoing knee injury which was compounded by a hamstring issue sustained while playing VFL in May.

Last month King travelled to Queensland to continue his rehabilitation, so news of an imminent return will excite fans who have been told all too often by the club that "it's only a matter of time" util he is fit to play.

“He is good, he is back full training with us now and it’s such a good sight to see," Harvey told SEN Crunch Time. "He has worked so hard to get to this position.

"Probably a week and a bit now he has been in full training with the group so we expect an imminent return for Max which is really pleasing.

“We haven’t had the conversation (of AFL or VFL) but it’s just good he is almost ready to come back and play footy.”

Asked about how St Kilda reflected on their season while they had the bye last weekend, Harvey said there had been a series of honest conversations, particularly around a lack of polish to how the sides finish games.

“Injuries are one thing, but the bye gives you a chance to reflect on how things are going and how we can improve in the last eight weeks," he continued.

“We’re getting a few back in the coming weeks, so it was a good chance to reset.

“It’s always dangerous because the season is still upon us, the ladder never lies. We know in a lot of areas we have improved but we have to flank that by finishing well.

“We know we haven’t got the job done in certain parts; we haven’t been polished or professional to get the job done at the end. We have lost a couple of games we should have won.

“Against anyone, we want to finish the job and that’s what we haven’t been able to do.”