The bad news at St Kilda is that Aaron Hamill probably has about as much chance of returning to senior football this year as the club has of making the finals.

The good news is that coach Ross Lyon hasn't given up on either possibility.

Hamill hasn't played a senior game this season, but held out the promise that he might do so soon when he turned out for VFL affiliate the Casey Scorpions two weeks ago.

But a full-scale comeback became as doubtful as ever last week when the knee flared and caused him to miss another run with Casey.

Despite the setback, Lyon says he is far from ready to scrap Hamill's 2007 season.

Hamill, 29, has been troubled by a knee injury since early last year and missed more than half of 2006 with that and other problems.

The temptation to abandon 2007 in a bid to get everything right for next year must have its attractions given the Saints currently sit two games out of the top eight in 12th place.

But for Lyon and the club there is even greater incentive to have the former captain back on the ground.

"There's no doubt when the senior members of the team thought he was back the other week, they were through the roof," Lyon said.

"He's a valuable resource, to have him on the ground would have some obvious benefits."

Lyon said Hamill visited his surgeon on Tuesday for a review of his knee, and although he declined to pass on the doctor's thoughts, he made the ominous announcement that he would definitely not line up for Casey this weekend.

"It just hasn't settled perfectly," he said.

"But we think it will.

"He won't play this week but he is progressing with a view to playing next week for Casey.

"Obviously it isn't perfect because he played the one game and he needed some continuity to press for senior selection."

Lyon said the club is prepared to give Hamill as much time as he needs so long as there is some hope of recovery.

About the only thing Lyon was certain of is that there is no plan to pension Hamill off.

"If the knee can't settle and he can't play ... the season's fading quickly," he said.

"Then we consult everyone, take it all on board and then map out a course that we can follow with an aim to Aaron playing senior football.

"We're persisting and persevering with an aim to seeing him back.

"The only thing that can enforce retirement is if there is no hope.

"But the consistent feedback we're getting from the surgeons is that there a lot worse knees playing AFL football and tolerating the load."

As for the finals, Lyon is both hopeful and philosophical.

While he acknowledges that the Saints need to double their winning tally of six to have a chance, he believes the club can get something out of each of their remaining games.

"We want to take away results - stay in the present and the process," he said.

"If we think we can't make the finals then what does that do to your mindset and the way you go about your footy?.

"We're focussed on the things we need to do to be a good football team."

© 2009 AAP
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