OUTSTANDING young Demon Jack Grimes is likely to miss the rest of the 2011 season, due to a foot injury.

 

Adding to a frustrating weekend with injury for Melbourne, emerging ruckman Jake Spencer suffered a knee injury playing for Casey and is also expected to miss the remainder of the year.

 

Grimes sustained a navicular stress fracture during the first quarter of Melbourne’s 96-point win over Adelaide Crows at the MCG on Sunday.

Melbourne club doctor Andrew Daff said: “It is expected Jack will make a full recovery. This is clearly a serious injury but we have time on our hands to manage it correctly to ensure he has no long-term issues in the future.”

 

It continues a frustrating run for the impressive leader, as he has suffered groin, hip and hamstring injuries in his first three seasons.

 

Yet such is Grimes’ standing among the Melbourne players, he was named in Melbourne’s leadership group this year.

 

Grimes is seeing his surgeon on Monday night to determine the next phase of his injury management.  

 

Spencer ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the second quarter of Casey’s clash against Northern Bullants.

 

He jarred his knee in a ruck contest.

 

Spencer is also set to see the surgeon on Monday night.

 

Another developing tall, Jack Fitzpatrick, also suffered an ankle injury playing for Casey seniors on the weekend.

The forward/ruckman endured a severe sprain of the syndesmosis.