St Kilda key forward Max King will miss the remainder of the season. (AAP: Julian Smith)
In short:
Max King will miss the remainder of the AFL season after injuring the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
King sustained the injury during the Saints' two-point defeat to the Power last Sunday.
What's next?
The Saints host the ladder-leading Swans at Docklands on Sunday.
St Kilda's season has gone from bad to worse with star forward Max King ruled out for the year with a knee injury.
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King, who was criticised for his performance in the Saints' two-point defeat to Port Adelaide at Docklands on Sunday, injured his posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee just after half-time against the Power.
The injury is on the same knee that forced King to miss two matches earlier in the season.
St Kilda believes the injuries are unrelated.
"This is a very disappointing outcome for Max," Saints executive general manager football David Misson said in a club statement.
"It's a credit to Max's commitment to his teammates that he played out the game on Sunday, but for his long-term future and health, it's important we now give his knee some time to rest and recover.
"While this will see Max miss the rest of the season, pleasingly he doesn't require surgery, and this course of action will place him in the best possible position to attack preseason."
King had kicked 19 goals from 12 matches this season, but his display against the Power came under fire before his latest injury was revealed.
St Kilda made the finals last year, with King playing a crucial role in the Saints' charge once he was available mid-season following shoulder surgery.
The Saints have slumped to 15th on the ladder with a 5-10 win-loss record.