St Kilda should attempt to lure West Coast star Josh Kennedy out of retirement to plug the hole in their forward line, according to Kane Cornes.
The Saints revealed earlier in the week that Max King would require a full shoulder reconstruction and miss at least five months – a devastating blow for a team that should be pushing for finals under Ross Lyon.
Kennedy retired following the 2022 season, capping a 293-game, 723-goal career. He went out with a bang, booting eight in his final game against Adelaide.
Cornes believes the Saints should be on the phone to the 35-year-old and work out a way to gain his services for 2023.
“I’ve got a task for Ross Lyon and that is to get on the phone and get Josh Kennedy out of retirement,” Cornes told SEN’s Sportsday.
“St Kilda needs to get Josh Kennedy out of retirement.
“I’ve repeated myself a couple of times. I said it when he retired. I said during the trade period that Fremantle or Essendon or Melbourne should be on the phone to him. I mentioned Collingwood.
“They’re in a really interesting spot. The reason they moved on from Brett Ratten is they’ve said this list is better than what we’ve delivered. They’re expecting to play finals. They don’t want to be stuck between six and 10.
“They have to play finals otherwise (there will be) egg on the face of those who have made this decision to re-sign and then sack Brett Ratten.
“Now, Kennedy, clearly it’s his body and he’s spoken about the debilitating knee injury that he’s got, if the call hasn’t been made yet it needs to be made.
“He kicked 37 goals from 15 games last year. And that’s in a side that won two games. Imagine putting him in a decent side.
“You could sell him on a really good wage, a job after football, he can play 12 to 15 games this year, we’ll manage you.
“Saints can’t afford to miss the finals. That’s the job for Ross Lyon, to come up with something.
“Right now they’re facing the prospect without Max King of a disappointing year you would think.”
St Kilda’s key forward depth contributes to their potential need to look elsewhere.
193cm five-gamer Jack Hayes, versatile journeymen Zaine Cordy and Tom Campbell and rookie Max Heath may be their only listed options.