Maguire played just four matches last year before succumbing to a foot injury, but Fisher says he is on track to make a full recovery.
“Matty’s been back in full training for a while now. He’s been doing all the training and he’s expected to play next Friday night (against the Brisbane Lions in the NAB Cup opener.),” Fisher said.
“He’s looking good and I’m glad from a defender’s point of view to have him back. He’s a key part of the team and has a lot of courage. He’ll be welcome back when he returns.”
Fisher has had no problems in covering for Maguire’s absence, having won St Kilda’s best and fairest and earning All-Australian selection last year.
But he says it always makes his job easier to have more experienced heads around him.
“Over the last couple of years Matty has missed a lot of footy and Max (Hudghton) has been in and out as well,” he said.
“There’ve been some other guys like Sam Gilbert and Jimmy Gwilt who have played down back. They’ve come to the backline to get some experience and last year we got our back six pretty settled and I think we were the second-best defence in the competition last year.”
The Saints’ smooth pre-season hit a snag last week when captain Nick Riewoldt was ruled out of the NAB Cup with a knee injury.
But Fisher says the skipper should be ready for the home and away season.
“Nick’s been in the gym the last few days and he’s looking quite good and pretty upbeat. He’ll miss a couple of NAB Cup games but we’re hoping to have him back for round one,” Fisher said.
“They’ve decided to have a quick clean-up now before the start of the year so he will be back for round one.”
Riewoldt was at training on Wednesday morning but did little more than chat with assistant coaches while walking around with a heavily strapped left knee.
Fisher said Riewoldt’s absence would open up a chance for some of the younger St Kilda forwards to prove themselves.
“We’ve got Nick Heyne, Lynchy (Tom Lynch) – he’s been playing a lot down forward in that half-forward role in match practice,” he said.
“We’ve got a few other guys who have been there for a couple of years like Jimmy Gwilt and those sort of players. Hopefully one of those can step up and show the promise they have and play a really good role in the intra-club match and also the NAB Cup.”
