COACH Mick Stinear says Mel Hickey will continue to play a key role in its 2018 AFLW campaign, although it will now be in an off-field capacity.

Hickey injured her anterior cruciate ligament during Melbourne’s 35-point win over Carlton at Ikon Park last Saturday.

And with her season now over, Stinear said the star Demon would continue to play a key role in Melbourne’s charge towards to the AFLW Grand Final, starting with its final home and away match against the Western Bulldogs at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday night.

“We were shattered to lose Mel with a knee injury. No-one has put more work into their game – or the team – than Mel,” he told melbournefc.com.au.  

“She had surgery on Tuesday and is currently recovering, but we’re hopeful we might be able to have her down at training later in the week.

“There is no question she is hard to replace, but we’re confident we have the players to step-up in her absence. We hope our players will bring the type of qualities she displays each week against the Bulldogs this weekend.”

Stinear said several players were in the mix to come in for Hickey, including Sarah Lampard, who has yet to play a match this year, due to a hamstring injury.

Bianca Jakobsson, who missed her first game of the season, against her former side Carlton last round, is also in contention to return from a quadriceps setback.

“We’ve already had some match committee meetings, and we’ve got several options, but we’ve still got some time to decide,” he said.

Stinear added that he wouldn’t get caught up in any other results or permutations – in terms of Melbourne potentially playing in the AFLW Grand Final.

He said it was simply up to his side to win on Saturday night, if it wants a crack at winning this year’s flag.  

“We’re really looking forward to it. It’ll be a contest between two different styles, but we match-up well against the Bulldogs,” he said.

“There is a [genuine rivalry] with the Bulldogs, which goes back before my time at the club, when the exhibition series was played.

“And of course, there is Deb’s (Lee) connection with Melbourne and the Bulldogs, so they are both very proud clubs.”