St Kilda is far from certain to regain star midfielder Luke Ball for Saturday night's knockout semi-final clash against Collingwood at the MCG as the Saints try to pick up the pieces following Sunday's 10-goal loss to Geelong in the first qualifying final.
Ball - one of the Saints' best ball-winners - missed the last four home-and-away matches after injuring his hamstring while bravely backing into a marking contest in Round 18 and then was ruled out of the club's first final after re-injuring himself at training last weekend.
The Saints badly need a lift in the midfield after being dominated in that area by the Cats - who amassed 423 touches to 352 on Sunday and smashed the Saints both in contested possessions - 123-91 - and clearances - 36-28.
But St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said he has not given much thought yet as to Ball's possible return this week.
"We will assess him, he is rehab but honestly I haven't given Luke Ball any thought over the last 48 hours," Lyon said.
"We would love to have him back but we will have to assess him as he works throughout the week and at some point we will declare him fit or unfit and let you know."
The Saints however are more optimistic that tall defender Jason Blake will be fit to face the Magpies, even though he came off the field late on Sunday with what appeared to be a broken wrist.
But the club insists Blake had only injured his thumb.
"He came off with a (injured) right thumb, he had a guard on it and just jarred that up a bit," Lyon said.
"He is obviously pretty sore but we are confident he will be fine."
The one positive out of the Saints' heavy defeat was - with the game lost in the final term - the club had the opportunity to rest some of its older players late in the game such as Max Hudghton, Nick Riewoldt and Robert Harvey, who will play his 382nd and last match this week if the Saints are beaten.
The Saints' bid to bounce back this week was also helped by the good form of their VFL team - Casey Scorpions - which won their elimination final on the weekend against the Northern Bullants to keep their season alive.
As a result, several players from that team are expected to come into contention for senior selection this week - in particular David Armitage, who was best afield, as well as Jarryd Allen, who kicked three goals, plus Shane Birss, Jarryn Geary and Matthew Ferguson while those whose spot in the senior side is likely to come under scrutiny include Xavier Clarke, Raphael Clarke, James Gwilt, Robert Eddy and Charlie Gardiner.