After undergoing surgery to treat her ruptured ACL, Steph Chiocci is doing well.
The seasoned executive will start her recuperation in the coming weeks, and her anticipated return date is mid-2024.
Hannah Stuart is still making progress in her own ACL recuperation in the interim.
This week, Jayde Van Dyk plans to up her running mileage, and Bec Ott is approaching significant turning points in her Achilles recuperation, setting herself up for a successful off-season.
Following their encounter with Jayde Van Dyk on Sunday, the Saints had no injuries to report.
Player injury list; estimated return
Rebecca Ott Achilles Season Steph Chiocci Knee Season
Season of Hannah Stuart’s knee
Season of Jayde Van Dyk’s Knee
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“Months” in the making for St Kilda move for Dow
Paddy Dow’s transfer to St Kilda took several months to arrange, as Saints coach Ross Lyon spoke with the departing Carlton midfield player frequently up until the trade deadline that saw the former No. 3 overall pick go to Moorabbin.
As part of a four-club transfer that also featured the Western Bulldogs and Essendon, Dow was sent to the Saints last week, fulfilling his dream of leaving Princes Park.
Months had passed since the initial plans were made, with Lyon and former Blues list manager Stephen Silvagni vying for Dow’s signing during the campaign.
After drafting Dow to Carlton in 2017, Silvagni will now play his pre-season matchup with the 24-year-old at St Kilda.
“There were conversations that started a few months ago with Ross and SOS (Silvagni) and their recruiting team,” Dow said.
“After chats with them, it made the decision pretty easy and the things I could potentially provide for this club [know]. When it got done I was very glad and looked forward to getting started.
“There were a couple of text messages from Ross (earlier in the year) just providing a bit of support and things like that. I know SOS from Carlton and through my draft, we had a bit of a relationship and he definitely made it pretty easy too.”
Dow will wear red, white, and black with former Blues teammate Liame Stocker. The Saints’ newest addition is also familiar with Ben Paton and Hunter Clark from their junior playing days for Vic Country.
On the track, the quick midfielder has already bonded with some of his new teammates. Earlier this week, many Saints players trained together.
Keen to offer speed to Lyon’s midfield pack, Dow is confident his best football is ahead of him as he prepares for his seventh season in the AFL and first with St Kilda.
“I think the first five-six years of my career I’ve definitely learned a lot along the way, and I feel like I can only improve from here and hopefully provide something to the football club,” he added,
“I think I’ve always played my best footy through the midfield. So I feel like that’s probably the position that I can add to.
“Hopefully add some speed. I think that’s probably my point of difference.
“…it’s very exciting. I’m glad the deal is all done and now I get can get stuck into training.”
This off-season, Dow was traded to St Kilda together with wantaway Fremantle utility Liam Henry. In exchange, the Saints had to give up defender Nick Coffield, who they had acquired from Carlton.
Jade Gresham, a midfield forward for St Kilda, left the club via free agency and was replaced with Pick 21.
In the National Draught that takes place next month, the Saints presently own Picks 13, 21, 40, and 92.
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