COURAGEOUS co-captain Jack Viney will be "nursed" through next week after inspiring Melbourne to victory on Saturday with his lightning recovery from foot surgery.
Viney had an operation to "release" the plantar fascia in his injured foot only 19 days ago and was still on crutches last week, but set up the important win over Port Adelaide with a strong start.
The 23-year-old had 12 of his 25 disposals and four of his game-high 10 clearances in the Demons' opening-term onslaught, which led to a 23-point triumph that maintained their top-eight spot.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin believed as far out as Monday that Viney would be able to complete his remarkable return as many as three weeks early.
"I thought (our midfielders) were terrific around the footy today, and Jack Viney plays a huge part," Goodwin said.
"What he did for the team – in getting himself back so soon – can’t be underestimated. The character of the person, the leader he is, he just willed himself to play today and I thought he stood up really well.
"On Monday, after he'd run over the weekend, he was really confident he was going to play, and when he gets his mind set on something like that, you trust his word."
Viney's return was just part of the story that played out during the week at the Demons, who also welcomed back Jack Watts and Christian Salem (both hamstring) and Dom Tyson (knee).
Bernie Vince's third suspension for striking in the past two seasons handed forgotten midfielder Jack Trengove his first match in 399 days. Then there was Jeff Garlett, who arrived back from Western Australia on Thursday after spending five days there mourning a relative's death.
Jesse Hogan gave his best performance since returning three games ago from surgery to remove testicular cancer. The young forward has had to deal with his father's death and spent two weeks out with suspension in a tough year.
"We had a bit to go through this week … (and) there was a lot to play for today and I thought the spirit in the group was terrific," Goodwin said.
"I rang Jack (Trengove) Tuesday night to let him know he was playing and that was one of the phone calls, as a coach, you really enjoy.
"He's worked incredibly hard. He's had two years of not playing footy, he's had to work really hard to build his body and his game to get back into the team, and he's just such a quality person that we all love at the footy club."
Goodwin stopped short of guaranteeing Trengove another match next week against North Melbourne, but was pleased with his performance, particularly in the first quarter-and-a-half.
Melbourne is within touching distance of its first finals appearance since 2006, with matches against the Kangaroos, Greater Western Sydney, St Kilda, Brisbane Lions and Collingwood to round out the home-and-away season.
But Goodwin said the Demons had not yet contemplated a September berth.
"We're really just focused on building the behaviours as a footy club about what is expected, week in and week out, and building a style of play that is capable of being successful," he said.
"But we know we still have a long way to go … we're putting no limits on the group, but really understanding, too, that we still are developing.
"I think we were still one of the youngest teams last week and we're quite young again today – an average games of 80 – so we know we're still in a development phase."
An ankle problem hampered ruckman Max Gawn in the second half and forced him from the ground twice, but Goodwin was confident he would be OK for the North clash in Hobart.
