GOALSNEAK Jeff Garlett (hamstring), key forward Jesse Hogan (testicular cancer) and ball-winner Dom Tyson (knee) are all chances for Sunday’s clash against Carlton at the MCG.
Hogan is in line to play his first match since round seven, while Garlett missed his first game of the season last round and Tyson suffered his injury late in last Friday night’s loss to the Sydney Swans at the MCG.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson confirmed the trio would face fitness tests in the lead-up to round 16.
“Dom had someone fall on his knee pretty late in the game [against the Swans last]. Structurally, there’s not a lot of damage there but it’s quite swollen. He’s a lot better today (Tuesday) so we’re taking it day by day, but we’ll give him to the last minute, but it’s going to be touch and go,” he told Melbourne TV.
“Jesse is training really well. He did another really good session on the weekend and trained with the main group today and will do so again on Friday. In the end, it’s going to be Jesse’s decision as to whether he thinks he’s ready. We need to tick it off from football and physical point of view, but it’s more about his mindset than anything, so we’ll make a decision on that later in the week.
“Jeff did a great session today; he ran really fast. Essentially, he just needs to train with the group on Friday and get through and pull up well.”
But tall Jack Watts and playmaker Christian Salem, who both have hamstring injuries, won’t play against the Blues.
“Wattsy did another good session today. He’s probably another week or two away, and Christian’s another week after that, but they’re both ticking over their rehab program and going really well,” Misson said.
Co-captains Nathan Jones (quadriceps) and Jack Viney (plantar fascia) are looking at around a month on the sidelines.
“Jack had surgery yesterday afternoon (Monday) to release his plantar fascia, and we’ll just have to wait to see how he pulls up from his surgery and make sure the wounds good. It’s going to be a period of time until he can start loading it up again. Once he can do that we’ll have a bit more of an idea as to what his return to play is,” Misson said.
“He’ll (Jones) probably be a little bit longer with that quad, as there was a fair bit of tendon involvement there, so we need to progress him reasonably slowly, but he’s working really hard in his rehab.”
No timeframe has been placed on midfielder Angus Brayshaw (concussion).
“Gus did his first full, unrestricted session with the group today and did really well. We’re conscious that he needs to do two or three weeks of that before we even consider when he’s going to play again. It’s going to come down to how Gus feels from a confidence point of view, but we’re not going to put a timer on it,” Misson said.
Youngsters Pat McKenna (hamstring) and Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) are eyeing a return in August.
“Patty is going well. He’s working through his speed progressions in rehab. He’s probably four to five weeks away,” Misson said.
“Lachlan had an injection in his hip last week to try and relieve some inflammation and had a run today, so he’ll need a period of time to get back to full training, but hopefully he’s three to four weeks away.”
Defender Colin Garland (knee), utility Aaron vandenBerg (heel) and rookie Tim Smith (navicular bone) are at varying stages in their comeback, but remain out for the season.
“Garlo has been running for a couple of weeks and going really well and not running with a limp at all, and looking great out on the track,” Misson said.
“Vanders and Bull Smith are both inside and off legs, not weight-bearing through their feet at all.”
Melbourne injury list: round 16
Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – indefinite
Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – 3 weeks
Colin Garland (knee) – season
Jeff Garlett (hamstring) – test
Jesse Hogan (testicular cancer) – test
Nathan Jones (quadriceps) – 3-4 weeks
Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 4-5 weeks
Christian Salem (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season
Dom Tyson (knee) – test
Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season
Jack Viney (plantar fascia) – 4-6 weeks
Jack Watts (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks
