Check out Melbourne’s latest injury news ahead of Round 4
CALEB Windsor will be back in the selection mix this week with the young Demon set to return from injury.
Windsor has been sidelined since the opening game of the season after an infection to his foot ruled him out for the following two matches.
“Caleb had a great week on the track, and he'll integrate into full training this coming week,” said Selwyn Griffith, Melbourne’s AFL High Performance Manager.
“He’ll look to be available for this weekend's game.”
Jake Lever (ankle) and Charlie Spargo (concussion) are also eyeing their returns after being ruled out of last Saturday’s game due to their respective injuries.
Lever and Spargo will both face fitness tests to tick off the final requirements to be available for Friday night’s match against Geelong.
“Jake just pulled up sore from our main training session last week, therefore the decision was made [to remove him from the team],” Griffith said.
“This week, we’ll look to integrate him into main training and hopefully he is able to progress better than last week.
“Charlie has progressed well through his concussion protocol.
“His next phase is to integrate into main training and if he succeeds through that, plus the additional testing with the doctors, he'll be available for this weekend as well.”
Matt Jefferson will also remain as a test for this week’s match as he continues to recover from surgery following a fracture to his hand.
“He had a review with the surgeon today, which was positive and now it's about him increasing the function of his hand,” Griffith said.
“He was able to get running today, but we just need to see how his hand function improves. We'll get a clearer picture on his availability towards the end of the week and progress him as far as his function allows.”
Coming out of last Saturday’s game, young Demon Xavier Lindsay was subbed off due to a knee concern but was cleared of any significant damage following scans.
“Imaging cleared him of any severe damage to the knee, which was great, but he still has a low-grade injury to his medial ligament,” Griffith said.
“This week is more around progression from that, he’s still quite sore and stiff following that incident.
“He was able to get moving today but he'll be unlikely for this week and then we'll just keep progressing him as each day goes by.”
After being sidelined for a number of weeks due to bone stress in his foot, Jai Culley will make his return to football via the VFL to gain important match minutes.
“Jai has progressed back into full training,” Griffith said.
“He'll look to return to the VFL on some modified minutes this Friday, but he has progressed really well in this last week.”
In exciting news for young Demons Koltyn Tholstrup (back) and Luker Kentfield (illness), both are closing in on returns after extended periods on the sidelines.
“We've had Koltyn and Luker both progressing through a reconditioning phase,” Griffith said.
“After both of them had an interrupted Christmas and January period, they've had a great month and integrated back into full training last week.
“They're both in full training again this week, with the likelihood of being available next week.”
Similarly, Judd McVee is getting closer to rounding out his rehab from a hamstring injury he sustained in February during pre-season.
“Judd's been integrating into some training, and he's had a really positive fortnight with really good strength numbers in the gym,” Griffith said.
“Now we're seeing that transfer out onto the field. He'll look to integrate into full training over the next week or two, with availability likely in the coming weeks.”
During the VFL, Tom Campbell didn’t feature in the second half due to hamstring awareness but recovered well and has re-entered into his regular training schedule.
Shane McAdam (Achilles) and Andy Moniz-Wakefield (knee) are both continuing to complete their respective rehab programs.
"He had a really positive training session on the weekend. He got back into full training today and so we expect that he'll train fully at the end of this week to be available."
"He integrated back into training today. He'll have to tick off the last part of the concussion protocol at the end of this week and then hopefully will be available for selection after our main training session."
"Ricky sustained that concussion in a training session a few weeks ago. He's progressed through the concussion protocol as well and will train fully this week to be available for selection."
"He won't be available for this week's game, with the plan for him to hopefully continue to progress through those protocols and be available for the following week."
“Marty's unfortunately had some calf tightness after a session last week,” he said.
“We’ve had to stay steady with his program. He’ll continue to build towards getting back to playing, but at this stage, it’s just slowed his return.”
“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.”
"He had a really positive training session on the weekend. He got back into full training today and so we expect that he'll train fully at the end of this week to be available."
"He integrated back into training today. He'll have to tick off the last part of the concussion protocol at the end of this week and then hopefully will be available for selection after our main training session."
"Ricky sustained that concussion in a training session a few weeks ago. He's progressed through the concussion protocol as well and will train fully this week to be available for selection."
"He won't be available for this week's game, with the plan for him to hopefully continue to progress through those protocols and be available for the following week."
“Marty's unfortunately had some calf tightness after a session last week,” he said.
“We’ve had to stay steady with his program. He’ll continue to build towards getting back to playing, but at this stage, it’s just slowed his return.”
“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.”
