Fisher out for a month

St Kilda has suffered a blow ahead of Round 1 with star defender Sam Fisher injuring his ankle in the Saints' NAB Cup Grand Final loss.

The 2008 All-Australian could spend a month on the sidelines after rolling his ankle in the first quarter against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

St Kilda had originally said the injury was minor, but scans on Sunday revealed the injury was more serious than first thought.

Saints football manager Greg Hutchison revealed the severity of Fisher's injury at the club family day in Frankston.

The 27-year-old played in 21 of 22 matches in 2009 and is a key player in the grand finalist's defence.

In better news for the Saints, vice-captain Lenny Hayes will return from a calf injury for St Kilda's round-one match on March 27 against Sydney at ANZ Stadium after missing Saturday's final.

Despite the 40-point loss, coach Ross Lyon said the Saints would turn their attention to starting the season in the same winning way as 2009.

"We've got a bit of work to do really," Lyon said on Saturday night.

"It's a great reminder for our players, our coaches and our football club that it's a brutal competition and you can't play in finals until you win enough home and away games."