St Kilda small forward Dan Butler won’t be available to play for at least a month after scans on a hamstring injury suffered against the Western Bulldogs.
Butler came on in the third quarter of what ended as a disastrous night for the Saints before coming off the following term with a hamstring complaint.
He’d only recently returned from ankle surgery.
St Kilda footy boss David Misson revealed on Friday afternoon that Butler won’t be available again until mid-season.
“Dan’s injury was a disappointing end to a disappointing night on-field, but we’re confident he can bounce back in time,” Misson said in a club statement.
“Unfortunately, the nature of the injury and its Grade 2 classification means Dan will likely spend between four to six weeks on the sidelines.
The Western Bulldogs inflicted a 60-point defeat on Ross Lyon’s Saints, who now have plenty of soul-searching to do at 2-4.
Max King (knee), Hunter Clark (calf), Brad Crouch (knee), Liam Henry (hamstring), Mason Wood (collarbone), Paddy Dow (knee), Ben Paton (chest) and Jimmy Webster (suspension) were among the other Saints to miss Round 6.
The Saints could end the weekend as low as 14th. They next play Port Adelaide in Adelaide next Friday night.
