ST KILDA key defender Dougal Howard will be sidelined for the next three months after dislocating his shoulder at training on Monday.
The 28-year-old has met with surgeons in recent days and will undergo shoulder surgery next week.
Howard is expected to miss at least the first six rounds of the 2025 season and will aim to be available by the end of April.
The former Port Adelaide backman was limited to 15 appearances in 2024 due to a pair of hamstring strains.
With Josh Battle moving to Hawthorn as a free agent last October, Howard's absence is a significant blow for Ross Lyon’s side to start the new campaign.
The Saints have been hit hard by injury setbacks to start the year, losing young gun Mattaes Phillipou for up to the next 14 weeks due to a stress fracture in his right femur.
Former Western Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy and Tasmanian Arie Schoenmaker are in line to cover the loss across the first couple of months of the season.
Rowan Marshall is racing the clock to be available for the Saints' season opener against Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval due to a stress fracture in his pelvis.
Pre-season supplemental selection period signing Harry Boyd didn't train at RSEA Park on Friday with the Saints managing the load of the 26-year-old ruckman from Norwood.
Paddy Dow is facing a delayed start to the year after requiring three rounds of knee surgery during the Christmas break due to an infection.
Liam Henry is also no guarantee to be available for round one due to knee surgery earlier in the summer.
First-round pick Alix Tauru is back running after arriving at Moorabbin with stress fractures in his back, but the Gippsland Power product is still 1-2 months away from being available after a slow start to his AFL career.
Emerging star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was the clear standout during Friday's match simulation at Moorabbin, dominating off half-back with his searing right foot across a dazzling session in the heat.
The 21-year-old is out-of-contract in 2025 but poised to go to another level after finishing fifth in last year's Trevor Barker Award.
Mid-season recruit Max Hall is firmly in the hunt for a round one debut after a strong maiden summer at RSEA Park.
After managing only five games for Sandringham in the second half of 2024, Hall impressed in the midfield on Friday and has built a compelling case for an early-season debut across the past couple of months.
Three-time All-Australian Jack Macrae hasn't missed a beat since crossing over from the Western Bulldogs in October and will complement Ross Lyon's midfield, which is led by captain Jack Steele.
But second-year midfielders Hugo Garcia and Angus Hastie are also putting their hands up for a round one spot after playing nine and five games respectively in 2024.
After being selected at pick No.8 in last November's draft, Tobie Travaglia has pushed 2023 first-round pick Darcy Wilson in the running and will get an opportunity to compete for an early season debut during the practice matches over the next month.
St Kilda will face Carlton at Ikon Park on February 22 before hosting Port Adelaide at RSEA Park on March 1.