St Kilda's Max King sidelined for rest of 2026 by hamstring injury

St Kilda forward Max King suffered a left hamstring strain in his first AFL match after a 757‑day absence, forcing the club to rule him out for the remainder of the 2026 season. The injury was confirmed by scans after he was forced from the field in the third quarter of the Saints’ 31‑point win over North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

King, who signed a six‑year contract extension in October 2024 tying him to the club until 2032, has endured a succession of setbacks, including a posterior cruciate ligament tear in 2024, multiple knee surgeries, a calf injury and an earlier hamstring strain in a VFL game. Coach Ross Lyon defended the decision to bring King straight into senior AFL action rather than a gradual VFL return, a move that attracted criticism from commentators.

St Kilda remains in the finals wildcard mix but will have to navigate the rest of the season without their key forward, focusing on King’s rehabilitation and a full pre‑season ahead of 2027.