Hannebery injury tweak

Fresh approach on hamstrung Saint

ST KILDA is set to change its approach to Daniel Hannebery’s persistent run of softtissue injuries in a bid to return the midfielder to the game and extend his career.

The Saints on Friday admitted the former Swan was frustrated and hurt by the nightmare calf and hamstring problems that have dogged Hannebery again this season.

The premiership midfielder was brought to the club on big money but injury issues have limited him to only 13 games. He is now in his third season at St Kilda.

While time is running out for Hannebery, St Kilda chief operating officer Simon Lethlean

said the Saints had not given up on the 30-year-old having an impact in 2021.

The Saints are under pressure to lift against Port Adelaide on Sunday to avoid falling to 2-4 in a blow to their hopes of playing finals.

Lethlean said the persistent injuries had taken their toll on Hannebery but the club was keen to tweak its approach to his program to get a better result.

“He is certainly very important when we get him out there, but that hasn’t been happening,” Lethlean said on SEN.

“That is a frustration for the club and it is a frustration for him and our fans.

“He is working his butt off and nothing is working for him right now, so it is disappointing for him and it hurts. It hurts him and we want him out there.

“But rest assured he is working harder than anyone and he is still a few weeks away.

“We are looking at how we can restructure his program.

“He has been having calf complaints on the back of not particularly intense work, so there is something else going on as compared to ripping soft tissue.

“So that’s a work in progress, it is very frustrating.”

Lethlean said Hannebery had been unable to make the contribution he would have liked since departing Sydney.