Windhager hurt in slick Saints' AFL practice match win

St Kilda are hopeful Marcus Windhager will be fit for round one despite the young midfielder suffering a broken hand in a 66-point practice match thumping of Essendon.

Max King kicked four goals as the well-organised Saints proved far too slick with their speed and ball movement in a comfortable 16.10 (106) to 5.10 (40) victory on Friday at RSEA Park.

Cooper Sharman, Jack Higgins and Tim Membrey kicked three goals each, while former Port Adelaide defender Riley Bonner and first-round draft pick Darcy Wilson impressed.

But the Saints' convincing performance was soured by Windhager's injury, which puts him in doubt for the season opener against Geelong on March 16.

It was almost a year to the day since Windhager broke his opposite hand in the corresponding fixture last pre-season.

"It's just a little break in his other hand so we're still hopeful he'll (play in) round one," Saints assistant coach Robert Harvey said.

"It's disappointing for him but it's nothing serious. He's had a great summer so we're looking forward to getting him back for round one.

"He'll be able to run still and keep fit but it's just a minor setback."

Wilson was St Kilda's top pick at last year's draft and showed signs he could slot straight into Ross Lyon's first-choice team with an eye-catching display against Essendon.

"He's fitted in really well. He's got a great attitude and he gets out what he puts in," Harvey said.

"To see him and Hugo Garcia come in and do some stuff for us - and Liam Henry from another club - was really good to see and I think that will excite the fans."

The Western Bulldogs also suffered an injury blow when former cricketer James O'Donnell went down with an ankle injury early in their 25-point practice match win over Hawthorn at Whitten Oval.

No.6 draft pick Ryley Sanders showed why he is among the early Rising Star contenders with an impressive performance for the Bulldogs, immediately looking comfortable at senior level.

Hawks recruit Mabior Chol sent a scare through the camp when he had a shoulder injury assessed but showed promising signs in his first competitive hit-out for his new club.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store