Ross Lyon is confident Max King will commit his long-term future to St Kilda and has backed Brad Hill to fire in the twilight of his career.
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Hill, 31, has signed a three-year contract extension ahead of his 250th game, but King's plans beyond his existing deal remain uncertain.
The 24-year-old spearhead has been the subject of intense scrutiny this year and is now sidelined for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
The latest setback comes amid reports the Saints have tabled a long-term contract extension to the 2018 No.4 pick beyond his current deal, which expires in 2026.
"I'm not across (the contract talks), I know we're sort of engaged," St Kilda coach Lyon said on Thursday.
"We're really confident that Max will be a St Kilda player for the term of his career, and we want him to be."
King has kicked 159 goals from 83 games but won't play again until next year.
He suffered a posterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee during the Saints' loss to Port Adelaide last month, adding to a long list of significant injuries throughout his career.
King continued his rehabilitation behind closed doors while his teammates trained at RSEA Park on Thursday, briefly appearing with a large brace on his left leg to sign autographs for fans.
"I spoke earlier to him, really engaged with him and just set a direction - give him time to sort of process it," Lyon said.
"He's very good, he's goes away and really processes and then gives it meaning and commits to a plan and gets to work.
"So he's a big, important part of our future.
"The wild gyrations of opinions and that ... he doesn't buy into it, doesn't buy into the media stuff.
"He's a story, isn't he? But we've got full faith he's recommitted mentally to his process now and he'll do the work.
"He's got an incredible 10 years of footy in him. He's really exciting for the Saints."
Hill played in three premierships with Hawthorn and spent three years at Fremantle before moving to St Kilda at the end of 2019.
He will remain at Moorabbin until the end of 2027.
It is a big show of faith from the Saints in a player of Hill's age, though Lyon insists the super-fit wingman does not present a risk.
"He says to me, 'I can play the next day, I never pull up sore'," Lyon said.
"He works really hard but he loves to run.
"More and more, as players understand the opportunities, they look after themselves and prepare so well.
"The sports science is so good and in world sports people are playing well into their late thirties because the incentive's there now.
"I would've thought his performance dictates it. We have plenty of analysis on the metrics of performance - there's certainly no drop-off with Brad."
Hill will reach the 250-game milestone when the Saints host West Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Australian Associated Press
