Graphic image: St Kilda AFL star Jack Steele plays on against Bulldogs despite shocking broken bone

GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING: Shocking image proves St Kilda star Jack Steele showed incredible courage to play on with a completely shattered collarbone

  • Played fourth quarter with the injury 
  • Will miss up to four weeks of footy 
  • Joins alarming St Kilda injury list 

The injury curse continues at St Kilda with scans revealing inspirational captain Jack Steele played the final quarter of their round two AFL win over the Bulldogs with a shattered collarbone.

The former All-Australian missed a month of footy in 2022 with a shoulder injury and took a heavy knock to the same joint in the club’s 51-point win over the Dogs.

In an incredible act of courage, the skipper took to the field for the final quarter to ensure his side claimed a second straight win to start the 2023 season despite the pain and restricted movement.

He will undergo surgery and miss up to a month of footy, cruelly robbing him of playing in the Saints’ 150th anniversary match against Essendon this weekend.  

‘Jack’s as courageous as they come and to play out the game with a broken collarbone was a fantastic effort,’ St Kilda football boss David Misson said.

The shocking scan results show how badly Steele’s collarbone was broken in the match against the Bulldogs

Steele leads his teammates off the field at Marvel Stadium after courageously playing on to help the club record its second win of the AFL season

Steele leads his teammates off the field at Marvel Stadium after courageously playing on to help the club record its second win of the AFL season

While doctors are saying Steele will miss four rounds, coach Ross Lyon expects his inspirational skipper will be back before then. 

‘He’ll get a plate inserted … we’re hoping for three or four weeks. Doctors are saying four but he’s the man of steel so I’m tipping three,’ Lyon said.

The bravery displayed by Steele did not go unnoticed by Saints supporters. 

‘Absolute courage. Would have known it was broken and still toughed it out,’ one fan posted.

‘That’s tough playing out the game with a broken collarbone. Such an inspiration to the team as a leader. Speedy recovery,’ posted another.

Steele has now joined the Saints’ injury list, which is the longest in the AFL with a total of 14 stars missing.

The list includes the likes of superstar forwards Max King and Tim Membrey – and the cavalry isn’t coming anytime soon, with only Jack Bytel rated a change of returning before round nine.

In a boost for the club, Seb Ross and Marcus Windhager returned in limited minutes on Saturday but fans are still lamenting the costly injury toll. 

‘This season is cursed,’ one fan posted.

Key forward Max King is still six to nine weeks away from playing for the Saints after injuring his shoulder

Key forward Max King is still six to nine weeks away from playing for the Saints after injuring his shoulder

Tim Membrey has suffered a setback with his knee injury and is still another four to six weeks away from returning for the Saints

Tim Membrey has suffered a setback with his knee injury and is still another four to six weeks away from returning for the Saints

‘All the best Jack hope you heal well, feel sorry jolly bad luck, you are a great leader and captain, absolute champion. Why are we so cursed by injuries?’ added another.

The Saints have defied the obscene injury list to start the season 2-0 with shock wins over Fremantle and the Bulldogs, and fans said Steele’s absence would only mean more opportunity for the club’s younger players. 

‘Knew it wasn’t good when he was shaking hands with his left after the game. Will be a great opportunity for Windy and Bytel to step in,’  one posted.

‘Speedy recovery Jack such bad luck the rest of the team will do you proud,’ added another.

‘Unbelievable. Hope he has a speedy recovery. Good chance for our younger guys to step up,’ said another.



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