St Kilda reportedly set to delist wingman – AFL News

St Kilda will reportedly make the decision to ax wingman Dan McKenzie this season, but the injury-hampered Saint still has a chance to be part of Ross Lyon’s 2024 plans.

McKenzie spent most of this year in rehabilitation due to persistent calf problems, with the 27-year-old appearing in a few VFL matches for Sandringham and would not feature at AFL level.

The 2023 free agent ventured to Europe after the season for further assessment of his soft tissue issues, with the Saints confirming last month that McKenzie’s future was in the balance.

“It’s a work in progress with him,” St Kilda list manager Stephen Silvagni said of McKenzie in October.

‘He’s actually going abroad to seek specialist advice on one of his injuries.

“So we’ll wait and see what happens here.”

According to AFL.com.aus Josh Gabelich, the Saints will cut McKenzie before potentially selecting the midfielder through the pre-season supplemental selection period.

It is understood McKenzie will join Lyon’s pre-season program this summer and will have to prove his fitness after a year-long injury battle.

McKenzie may not be the only one pushing for a vacant roster spot at Moorabbin, however, with the Saints having recruited Liam Stocker, Anthony Caminiti, Jack Hayes and Jarrod Lienert through the SSP in the past two years alone and re-signing multiple training positions to AFL could offer. hopeful.

The axing of McKenzie could also attract interest from other AFL clubs, with the Gold Coast Suns said to be one side that has shown some interest in the Blackburn junior.

St Kilda’s list profile will continue to take shape within two weeks of the National and Rookie Drafts, with several list places up for grabs after a busy season of off-season list changes.

Silvagni was able to secure the additions of Liam Henry and Paddy Dow from Fremantle and Carlton respectively during the trade period, while Nick Coffield, Jack Billings and Jade Gresham all found new homes at separate Victorian clubs.

The Saints cut Jack Bytel, Leo Connolly, Oscar Adams, Jack Peris and Thomas Highmore following their 2023 campaign, and will take picks 13, 21, 40 and 92 into the National Draft.