Any chance of Zak Jones playing his first AFL game of the year this week has been dashed, with the St Kilda speedster joining teammate Tom Campbell in health and safety protocols.
The Saints axjmtzywnnounced on Tuesday that both Jones and Campbell would be unavailable for round 6 selection.
Jones took personal leave in early March but was training in recent weeks before a promising VFL return on Saturday, where he amassed 27 disposals, nine clearances and six inside 50s.
That buoyed hopes that the 27-year-old midfielder could play in St Kilda’s clash with Greater Western Sydney on Friday night until the Covid-related setback.
Saints coach Brett Ratten and defender Jimmy Webster missed last Saturday’s win over Gold Coast for the same reason, with senior assistant Brendon Lade stepping in for Ratten.
Lade said after the victory over the Suns that they wouldn’t rush Jones back into the side unless he was ready but the earliest he can play now is on April 30 against winless Port Adelaide.
“He got through the game really well and had a lot of possessions and a lot of clearances, which is great for him,” Lade said of Jones.
“But he’s always going to be week-to-week and we’ll monitor him and we won’t be pushing him in any sooner than we need to and he’ll be ready when he’s ready.
“If he has a good week, there’s a chance (he plays against the Giants), but if he doesn’t, he might not be.”
Campbell crossed to St Kilda as ruck depth at the end of last season, after playing 54 games for North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs, but is yet to make his senior debut for the Saints.
