JAKE Lever is edging closer to full fitness as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.

AFL High Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith said the defender is recovering well and will look to increase his workload over the next few weeks.

“Jake (Lever) has had a really strong last week,” Griffith said.

“He integrated into some training today, which is great — so he’ll look to increase his loads and be involved in more training across the next few sessions.”

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Harrison Petty has entered the AFL’s concussion protocols following a head knock against West Coast on Saturday.

“It was an unfortunate episode before half time for Petts. But he’s recovered well,” Griffith said.

“He began his first stage of the concussion protocol today, and he’ll continue to progress through that as his symptoms allow — with the hope that he’ll be back into some training at the end of this week. Then we’ll assess his availability the following week.”

Marty Hore also continues to progress through his rehabilitation program.

“Marty (Hore) 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.”

Clayton Oliver returned to training on Tuesday after missing the club’s Round 8 clash against West Coast.

“Clayton missed the game last week, he completed a session with some of our VFL squad on the weekend, and integrated back into full training today,” Griffith said.

“We’ll continue to work with him across the week to have the best plan for his mental and physical wellbeing. The plan is for him to train on Thursday, and then we’ll assess his availability for selection following that session.”

Ricky Mentha is another Demon working through concussion protocols after a training incident last week.

“Ricky unfortunately suffered a concussion at our main training session last week,” Griffith said.

“He’s through the first couple of phases of the concussion protocol and won’t be available for this week. We’ll look to progress him as his symptoms allow, with him hopefully returning to playing and training next week.”

Meanwhile, Kysaiah Pickett is expected to be available for selection after recovering from an ankle injury sustained late in Saturday’s win.

“Koz (Pickett) had an ankle sprain towards the end of the game, but he’s recovered well,” Griffith said.

“He was part of full training today. Our expectation is he’ll have another full training and be available for this week.”

Injury List

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Player Injury Estimated Return
10. Daniel Turner

10. Daniel Turner

Knee Available

“Disco hyperextended his knee early in the game,” Griffith said. “Fortunately, scans have cleared him of any substantial ligament damage. “He was back into some training today and will integrate into full training in our main session this week, so he’ll be available.”

8. Jake Lever

8. Jake Lever

Toe Test

“Jake sustained a toe injury early in the game but was fortunately able to continue,” said Melbourne AFL High-Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith. “Scans have cleared him of any fractures to the bones in his foot, but he does have a ligament strain to his big toe. “We’ll continue to manage his recovery and progress him as his function allows, with the aim of getting him back as quickly as possible.”

21. Matt Jefferson

21. Matt Jefferson

Knee Test

“Jeffo pulled up well and, similar to Disco, has avoided any substantial ligament damage,” Griffith said. “He does have a little bit of bone bruising, so we’ll progress him based on his pain and function. “He was out at training today and got some running in. We’ll continue to work closely with him to see if we can integrate him this week and have him ready for our finals campaign.”

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22. Blake Howes

22. Blake Howes

Arm 1 week

“Howesy continues to progress really well,” Griffith said. “He’s been getting a heap of conditioning work and non-contact skills in, and has begun to increase some of his contact progressions. “He has an appointment with his surgeon as one of his final clearance markers, but he is progressing really well.”

20. Thomas Matthews

20. Thomas Matthews

Shoulder Season

“Tom had a surgical consultation last week, which confirmed that he required a shoulder reconstruction,” Griffith said. “He had that performed last week and is recovering well. “We’ll work closely with Tom to set him up for a strong off-season and a strong 2027.”

26. Jed Adams

26. Jed Adams

Knee Season

“Following the VFL game against North Melbourne, Jed reported some knee soreness which we followed up with scans,” Griffith said. “Unfortunately, they revealed that he had ruptured his PCL. Following a surgical consultation, the recommendation was for Jed to have a PCL reconstruction. It’s incredibly unfortunate news for Jed who had worked really hard to return to play this year. “This means that Jed will be sidelined for the remainder of the season and we’ll put the best plans in place to return him to peak performance in the new year.”

28. Brody Mihocek

28. Brody Mihocek

Neck Season

“Brody had some follow up scans and a review from the surgeon, which have pleasingly cleared him to begin to increase some of his physical activity, which means he’s been able to return to running and strength work in the gym,” Griffith said. “This is a really positive sign for Brody as he recovers from that neck surgery.”

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13. Jai Culley

13. Jai Culley

Knee Season

“Jai is recovering well from his knee reconstruction and is in the early phases of his program, which is predominately focused on getting his range of motion back and beginning strength work,” Griffith said.

45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

Knee Season

“Andy went in for surgery today following his ACL injury,” Griffith said. “Once he recovers from that surgery, we’ll begin to progress him through the first stages of his knee rehab.”

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10. Daniel Turner

10. Daniel Turner

“Disco hyperextended his knee early in the game,” Griffith said. “Fortunately, scans have cleared him of any substantial ligament damage. “He was back into some training today and will integrate into full training in our main session this week, so he’ll be available.”

Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Available
8. Jake Lever

8. Jake Lever

“Jake sustained a toe injury early in the game but was fortunately able to continue,” said Melbourne AFL High-Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith. “Scans have cleared him of any fractures to the bones in his foot, but he does have a ligament strain to his big toe. “We’ll continue to manage his recovery and progress him as his function allows, with the aim of getting him back as quickly as possible.”

Injury: Toe
Est. Return: Test
21. Matt Jefferson

21. Matt Jefferson

“Jeffo pulled up well and, similar to Disco, has avoided any substantial ligament damage,” Griffith said. “He does have a little bit of bone bruising, so we’ll progress him based on his pain and function. “He was out at training today and got some running in. We’ll continue to work closely with him to see if we can integrate him this week and have him ready for our finals campaign.”

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Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Test
22. Blake Howes

22. Blake Howes

“Howesy continues to progress really well,” Griffith said. “He’s been getting a heap of conditioning work and non-contact skills in, and has begun to increase some of his contact progressions. “He has an appointment with his surgeon as one of his final clearance markers, but he is progressing really well.”

Injury: Arm
Est. Return: 1 week
20. Thomas Matthews

20. Thomas Matthews

“Tom had a surgical consultation last week, which confirmed that he required a shoulder reconstruction,” Griffith said. “He had that performed last week and is recovering well. “We’ll work closely with Tom to set him up for a strong off-season and a strong 2027.”

Injury: Shoulder
Est. Return: Season
26. Jed Adams

26. Jed Adams

“Following the VFL game against North Melbourne, Jed reported some knee soreness which we followed up with scans,” Griffith said. “Unfortunately, they revealed that he had ruptured his PCL. Following a surgical consultation, the recommendation was for Jed to have a PCL reconstruction. It’s incredibly unfortunate news for Jed who had worked really hard to return to play this year. “This means that Jed will be sidelined for the remainder of the season and we’ll put the best plans in place to return him to peak performance in the new year.”

Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Season
28. Brody Mihocek

28. Brody Mihocek

“Brody had some follow up scans and a review from the surgeon, which have pleasingly cleared him to begin to increase some of his physical activity, which means he’s been able to return to running and strength work in the gym,” Griffith said. “This is a really positive sign for Brody as he recovers from that neck surgery.”

Read Article
Injury: Neck
Est. Return: Season
13. Jai Culley

13. Jai Culley

“Jai is recovering well from his knee reconstruction and is in the early phases of his program, which is predominately focused on getting his range of motion back and beginning strength work,” Griffith said.

Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Season
45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

“Andy went in for surgery today following his ACL injury,” Griffith said. “Once he recovers from that surgery, we’ll begin to progress him through the first stages of his knee rehab.”

Read Article
Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Season

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