St Kilda defender Jake Carlisle won’t play any further part in the Saints’ AFL finals campaign after leaving Queensland ahead of the birth of his child.
The Saints on Monday confirmed the 29-year-old had departed their Noosa hub to be with his partner Mel, with the couple imminently expecting their third child.
Carlisle said he was shattered to not be hanging around as St Kilda looks to build on their first finals win since 2010.
“I’m devastated to leave the guys, but it’s going to be a great opportunity for other guys to step up; and to be successful you need more than 22 players,” he said.
“You do everything for family and part of the emotions (after the win) was knowing it was my last game for this year.
“I’m excited to get back home and meet the little man coming along but more importantly to see Mel, (and children) Nash and Layker.
St Kilda chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said he was grateful to Carlisle for staying as long as he did and the club supported his decision.
“He has been away from his young family for a number of months now and we thank him for making that sacrifice,” Lethlean said.
While expected, Carlisle’s absence is a further blow to St Kilda as they prepare for their semi-final clash with reigning premiers Richmond at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.
Veteran ruckman Paddy Ryder has been ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing his hamstring in the dying stages of Saturday’s thrilling three-point elimination final win against the Western Bulldogs.
Ryder starred in the first finals victory of his 257-game career.
The 32-year-old faces a lengthy rehab stint as he requires surgery on the hamstring tendon injury.
“A little bit flat with the injury but it’s been an awesome year,” Ryder said.
“Just looking forward to seeing the boys go out and hopefully get another win this week and march on from there.”
Defender Ben Long is also set to miss the game against the Tigers after being slapped with a one-match ban for a high bump on Bulldog Jack Macrae.
Long attempted to have his suspension downgraded at the AFL tribunal on Monday night, with the Saints arguing his hit on Macrae was low impact, rather than the match review officer’s medium impact assessment.
The tribunal jury upheld the original assessment, meaning Long is suspended for Friday night but the Saints are likely to appeal and have until midday Tuesday to do so.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Please accept my sincerest apologies for inviting discussion on sports media site. Hopefully no one will we ever undertake this action ever again. Sprucey, what a great idea for a new post. How about you write a post specifically dictating what items should be allowed to be invited for discussion & specifically what items should be off limits. It would be interesting to see your True Colours come shining thru Cyndi.
Nick
Roar Guru
No where have I written that he has made the wrong decision or his employer should be asking him to put work before family priorities. The latter part of that comment is simply untrue. You invited discussion. Would have been better to not invite discussion instead of showing your true colours.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Sprucey, it seems I have struck a nerve here? Is all ok? I made two points to invite discussion. Thus my notation about getting rained on. No where have I written that he has made the wrong decision or his employer should be asking him to put work before family priorities. After 10 hours without 1 response, the post wasn't turning out to be a real blockbuster. Excuse the pun!
Mark.
Roar Rookie
*neither. You’ve done it again.
Nick
Roar Guru
Point B is dead set wrong. His club would want him to do right by his family before his club. Employers that insist on job before family are employers you walk away from. As wrong a position as when Blockbuster declined to purchase Netflix.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Which actual point was misleading? a) Jake is not going to have an enormity of ongoing opportunities over the next 50 years to prove to all that he is a great father & husband & contribute to quality of his family’s life. b) His club needs his support now. You believe never of these points is correct?
Andrew Thomas
Guest
Why does it seem Carlisle is out of favour with the coaching panel at Saints this year? From a supporters view I think he has been playing well and would be in their top 18 every week however up until recently wasnt getting picked on a regular basis... Anyone with any insider knowledge on this???
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
"And, as Neil says, if you weren’t there and something went wrong you’d never ever forgive yourself. You can forgive yourself missing out on a football game." True. ------ When my 2nd was born the doctor wasn't around; he got waylaid in another town. The nurse panicked and left me to it. I even found the pliers for the cord. It was a country hospital. When someone rocked up 30 minutes later they were freaked.
sven
Roar Rookie
very sporting of u there hub, not hoping for an enthralling high quality game to entertain the neutral & invested fans ? (understand where youre coming from, aesthetics is all very well, but theres bigger fish to fry for port)
Mark.
Roar Rookie
Your username is misleading.
Mark.
Roar Rookie
Ignorant and tone deaf comment.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
What makes you believe I'm immensely frustrated? I was just helping out the posting. It had been online for over 10 hours without one comment. Now it has 12 & about 20 likes.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I was there for all four of mine and it got harder every time; the more you know the worse it is. When baby #4 came out and he and mum were healthy it was the greatest relief of my life. I couldnt forgive myself if something went wrong and I wasn’t there.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
might take more out of whoever wins pts,looking for any advantage we can get
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Aren't Tigers very good in the wet? I seem to recall them late 2019 was it playing 4 or 5 in the wet in a row and winning them all?
Maxy
Roar Rookie
to even things up Sven i am hoping for a torrential down pour in the vicinity of 100ml in 20 minutes to offset the loss of 2 saint kilda big men and turn the game into a absolute slogfest
sven
Roar Rookie
as a tiges man cant say im unhappy about it but another blow for the saints on top of losing ryder & most likely long. as someone who was lucky enough to be present for the birth of all 4 of my kids, tough timing but absolutely the right choice by carlisle, not something u wanna miss for anything
Nick
Roar Guru
You mustn't have children, Mr Right. Watching my first kid be born was the greatest day of my life....a day that would make winning a grand final seem outright trivial. Can't wait to go and do it again. I've not met another father who has even joked they would have rather been elsewhere. And, as Neil says, if you weren't there and something went wrong you'd never ever forgive yourself. You can forgive yourself missing out on a football game. In no world should a club come before family.
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Far from ideal but I hope whoever takes his spot can do a reasonable job. It will most likely be Josh Battle or Jono Marsh. Battle was excellent in defence last year so could go back to his old role and play on Riewoldt, who is similar in height and build. Howard will most likely get the job on Lynch. Hope the Saints throw everything they have at Richmond and not roll over after losing Ryder, Carlisle and Long for the game.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=live+heavt+rain&view=detail&mid=E30694F160DCD32957ECE30694F160DCD32957EC&FORM=VIRE