A well-known saying at his former AFL club was on Matthew Capuano's mind here today as it appeared his football career was suddenly over.

St Kilda coach Grant Thomas stunned Capuano on Monday when he called the out-of-form ruckman into his office and said the Saints had released him.

It followed a run of bad form, highlighted during Saturday night's loss to Collingwood when Capuano spent plenty of time on the bench and young ruckman Matt Maguire was outstanding in the second term.

All parties insisted there was nothing sinister in the decision to axe Capuano, a two-time premiership player with the Kangaroos.

Capuano was moved to repeat the line he and his former team-mates heard from a Kangaroos official just before they ran out for the start of every match.

"If it was easy, everybody would be able to do it," Capuano said.

Thomas conceded the timing of the decision was unusual, but said he did not want Capuano spending the rest of the season playing for VFL side Springvale when young ruckmen such as Maguire, Barry Brooks and Trent Knobel were being developed.

The pick of St Kilda's younger ruckmen, Justin Koschitzke, is out for at least three more weeks with an ankle injury.

"I think immediacy and decisiveness apply to certain circumstances ... this was best for all parties," Thomas said.

Capuano conceded his form was poor, but was not expecting a mid-season chop.

The nature of club lists and the draft system mean it is extremely unusual for AFL teams to axe players during the season and especially before halfway.

"Obviously, nine rounds into the year, to be called into the coach's office and for him to say your career is over is a big shock," he said.

When asked why he had been axed now, Capuano said, "I'm not sure, maybe you should ask him (Thomas).

"The game on the weekend may have brought things to a head.

"I've had recurring problems with a degenerative knee, but I'm not going to volunteer that as an excuse."

Capuano, 27, said he might take a long holiday while he decided whether to try for an AFL comeback.

"On the positive side of my career, I've been lucky to have played in two premierships at a club like the Kangaroos with a great coach and great guys," he said.

Capuano played 107 games and was a member of the Kangaroos' 1996 and 1999 premiership teams before transferring to St Kilda two years ago.

He only managed seven senior games last year because of knee and shoulder problems and his pre-season was also interrupted by injury.

The Saints promoted Allan Murray from its rookie list to replace Capuano, a week after Murray's 21st birthday.

Meanwhile, Saints captain Aaron Hamill will play in Sunday's match against Hawthorn at the MCG.

Hamill underwent scans on Monday on the foot he bruised against Collingwood and was cleared of any damage.

The skipper had a poor night against the Magpies, collecting just five handballs.

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