INJURED St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt could make an amazing recovery to face the Brisbane Lions in round three after injuring his right knee last week.
It appeared the 34-year-old's career could be over when he hyperextended the joint with just minutes remaining against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. There were immediate fears Riewoldt had torn his ACL.
However, it was soon revealed the diagnosis was much less severe.
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Riewoldt ran earlier this week and coach Alan Richardson said at Melbourne airport on Friday the former skipper could face the Lions in round three, although Collingwood the following week is more likely comeback opponent.
The veteran's return depends on how he responds to an increased workload at training.
"He pushes his body, he knows his body really well. It's still very likely he'll miss another game after this," Richardson said.
"He's a slight chance (to come up against the Lions). I would think it's more likely (he plays) the week after.
"Having said that, as he gets to more aggressive stages of his training, we've just got to see how he pulls up after that, given there's bone bruising involved."
Riewoldt's left knee has plagued him for the past few years and he has needed it drained of fluid on occasion.
The Saints will meet the Eagles at Domain Stadium on Saturday with an inexperienced forward line. Mav Weller has the most matches to his name of that group, with 91.
David Armitage (groin) and Nathan Wright (dropped) were the other omissions on Thursday night. Veteran Leigh Montagna, West Australian Blake Acres and 2014's top draft pick, Paddy McCartin, were named.
After playing mostly in the backline last year, Richardson indicated Montagna would reassume a role as an onballer.
"'Joey' will give us a bit of experience through the midfield. We think that we probably missed a really composed head (in round one), given the Demons got on top of us after half-time at the centre bounce and we think 'Joey' can do a bit for us in that space," he said.
Montagna sat out the last term of last Sunday's VFL practice match against Sandringham but picked up 18 disposals in defence and midfield.
McCartin also played only the first three quarters after he was left out of the senior. He was declared medically fit, but not fit to perform to the level required, in Richardson's opinion.
"Paddy had some hamstring awareness that he had taken into the Sydney game (in the JLT Community Series)," Richardson said.
"He wasn't really able to explode, in terms of being able to get off his man, or even jump at the footy. I just wasn't confident that he was going to be able to play and execute his role."
