STEVEN May has been ruled out of Melbourne’s match against North Melbourne this Sunday.
After suffering a knock during training last week, May was a late exclusion from the club’s Round 1 match, scans confirming the defender had sustained a fractured larynx.
“Based on the advice from specialists, he didn't play on the weekend, and he will be unavailable for this week,” said Selwyn Griffith, Melbourne’s AFL High Performance Manager.
“We have a follow up review with the specialists this week, which will guide his return.
“Thankfully, it's not as bad as the one that Max [Gawn] sustained earlier in pre-season, and we do have some evidence to go off from previously managing an injury like this.”
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In news coming out of Sunday’s game against GWS, young Demon Caleb Windsor will be monitored in the coming days prior to Round 2, receiving care for an infection to his foot.
“Caleb presented with a sore heel following the game and within 24 hours, had a little increase in swelling and infection to that area,” Griffith said.
“He's on antibiotics at the moment. How he responds to that will determine his availability for this week.”
In positive news, defender-turned-forward Daniel Turner will be available for selection this week overcoming an illness that sidelined him for the side’s season-opening game.
“Unfortunately for Daniel he came down with quite severe illness and with our main training being within 48 hours of the game, it didn't give him the opportunity to get up for Round 1,” Griffith said.
“He's recovered well and was back in with the group this week.”
After suffering a fracture to his hand during the pre-season, Marty Hore will need to pass one final hurdle this week to make his return to play.
“Marty is progressing into all of our skill-based work. It was just the contest-based work that he wasn't comfortable with just yet,” Griffith said.
“He'll progress into training and we'll look to ramp that up from a spoiling, tackling perspective and if he's comfortable, then he'll be available to play this week.”
Jake Melksham and Judd McVee are both closing in on their final weeks of rehab from hamstring injuries, with Melksham expected to be available from as early as Round 3.
“Jake and Judd both integrated into a little bit of training last week,” Griffith said.
“Jake will be fully training this week in order to complete a match-load conditioning session on the weekend and is looking to be available from next week.
“Judd is just a week behind him, so he'll progress into some more training this week and continue to work through his max-velocity exposures and skill-based exposures. He’ll hopefully be available in the coming weeks”
After being sidelined with bone stress in his foot, Jai Culley is beginning to tick off key moments in his rehab.
“Jai was in the boot for a week, and he's come out of that and returned to running today,” Griffith said.
“His progressions will now be about a reconditioning phase and reloading not only for that bone, but just ensuring that he's tolerating the demands of the game.”
Koltyn Tholstrup (back), Luker Kentfield (illness), Shane McAdam (Achilles) and Andy Moniz-Wakefield (knee) are all continuing to complete their respective rehab programs.
“Judd completed full training last week and had a solid session over the weekend,” Griffith said.
“With the VFL team on a bye, we had a group of 15 to 17 players training in Adelaide, and Judd was part of that.
“He’ll complete another full training this week and will be available for selection.”
“Mayzy had an acute episode during the game,” Griffith said. “We’ve been managing a foot issue that’s been lingering since late pre-season, but he’s coped with it really well.
“He’s pulled up well and we’re aiming for him to join main training later in the week and be available for selection.”
“Tommy had a really positive week. He integrated into full training today and the plan is for him to train fully again on Thursday and be available this weekend.”
“Jake’s recovering well. He’ll have a surgical review and if cleared, move into a moon boot, which will allow us to start the next phase of rehab, including strength loading.
“We’ll have a clearer return-to-play picture after his next review.”
“Shane went to accelerate during match play on Friday, and has unfortunately ruptured his Achilles tendon in the process.
“This is an incredibly disappointing outcome for Shane, who was starting to get some real momentum and confidence in his body, following a strong pre-season.
“Shane will meet with a surgeon in the coming days, with the view to undergo surgery. From here, we will have a greater understanding of what his recovery timelines will look like.
“We will wrap our arms around Shane and fully support him throughout this next period.”
“Unfortunately, scans have confirmed what we all feared, with Andy to miss the season with an injury to his ACL, MCL and PCL,” Richardson said.
“This is incredibly disappointing news for Andy, who has had a really strong pre-season. We have been so impressed by his attitude and will to get better, and he was starting to reap the rewards of his hard work.
“Andy will undergo surgery in the near future, before beginning to work through his recovery. As a club, we will wrap our arms around him and make sure he is well-supported.
“Despite being on the sidelines, we know Andy will still play an important role for us this season, particularly with the positive energy he brings to the club every single day.”
“Judd completed full training last week and had a solid session over the weekend,” Griffith said.
“With the VFL team on a bye, we had a group of 15 to 17 players training in Adelaide, and Judd was part of that.
“He’ll complete another full training this week and will be available for selection.”
“Mayzy had an acute episode during the game,” Griffith said. “We’ve been managing a foot issue that’s been lingering since late pre-season, but he’s coped with it really well.
“He’s pulled up well and we’re aiming for him to join main training later in the week and be available for selection.”
“Tommy had a really positive week. He integrated into full training today and the plan is for him to train fully again on Thursday and be available this weekend.”
“Jake’s recovering well. He’ll have a surgical review and if cleared, move into a moon boot, which will allow us to start the next phase of rehab, including strength loading.
“We’ll have a clearer return-to-play picture after his next review.”
“Shane went to accelerate during match play on Friday, and has unfortunately ruptured his Achilles tendon in the process.
“This is an incredibly disappointing outcome for Shane, who was starting to get some real momentum and confidence in his body, following a strong pre-season.
“Shane will meet with a surgeon in the coming days, with the view to undergo surgery. From here, we will have a greater understanding of what his recovery timelines will look like.
“We will wrap our arms around Shane and fully support him throughout this next period.”
“Unfortunately, scans have confirmed what we all feared, with Andy to miss the season with an injury to his ACL, MCL and PCL,” Richardson said.
“This is incredibly disappointing news for Andy, who has had a really strong pre-season. We have been so impressed by his attitude and will to get better, and he was starting to reap the rewards of his hard work.
“Andy will undergo surgery in the near future, before beginning to work through his recovery. As a club, we will wrap our arms around him and make sure he is well-supported.
“Despite being on the sidelines, we know Andy will still play an important role for us this season, particularly with the positive energy he brings to the club every single day.”
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