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.”
RD 9 | Injury Report
Get all the latest injury news ahead of Round 9.
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 |
|---|---|---|
6. Caleb Windsor |
Toe |
Test
“Unfortunately, Caleb was unable to get up for last weekend’s game,” Griffith said. “We’re still working diligently with Caleb to get him available for this week. We’ll determine his availability at the end of the week if he is able to successfully integrate into main training on Friday.” |
|
18. Jake Melksham |
Ankle |
Test
“Jake has progress really well from his ankle injury that he sustained in Gather Round,” Griffith said. “He completed majority of training last week and completed a match-intensity session on the weekend. The plan is for him to full train this week to be available for selection.” |
|
42. Aidan Johnson |
Hip and groin |
1 - 2 weeks
“AJ continues to work on the management of his hip and groin pain,” Griffith said. “He integrated into some of training last week but is still unable to transition into the intensities that we’d like him to be at in order for him to return. “He’ll work closely with our medical and high-performance team until he’s ready for a return.” |
|
28. Brody Mihocek |
Hamstring |
1 - 2 weeks
“He’s progressed well through his hamstring strain, returning to high-intensity running and reconditioning skills last week,” Griffith said. “The plan is for him to integrate into modified training this week, then into full training next week, to hopefully be available in Round 12.” |
|
3. Christian Salem |
Foot |
4 - 6 weeks
“Christian has been progressing slowly from his foot fracture,” Griffith said. “Reimaging has shown us that the fracture is healing however he’s been unable to progress to the higher intensity activities. “We need to respect where Christian is at the moment and we’re hoping to get a good conditioning block into him prior to his return.” Read Article |
|
20. Xavier Lindsay |
Hip and groin |
4 - 6 weeks
“Xavier continues to work hard from a reconditioning perspective but has still been unable to progress into high-intensity running and agility,” Griffith said. “Our goal with Xavier is to have him as fit and as strong as possible when he returns, so it’s unlikely he’ll be available until after the bye.” |
|
26. Jed Adams |
Knee |
6 - 8 weeks
“Unfortunately, Jed sustained a knee injury during a contest in one of our main drills,” Griffith said. “Scans have shown that he’s injured his PCL, fortunately it doesn’t require surgical intervention, however Jed will miss a chunk of footy as we manage this conservatively. “Once he progresses through the next week, we’ll have a clearer timeline on his return, but he’s currently working on his strength in the hopes to return as quickly as possible.” |
|
23. Shane McAdam |
Achilles |
TBC
“Shane continues to work hard recovering from that Achilles rupture,” Griffith said. “He’s just looking to build his training integration and high intensity running before we see him return to play in the coming weeks.” Read Article |
|
7. Jack Viney |
Achilles |
TBC
“Jack has progressed to light running duties as we continue to build his calf and Achillies strength.” Read Article |
|
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. |
6. Caleb Windsor
“Unfortunately, Caleb was unable to get up for last weekend’s game,” Griffith said. “We’re still working diligently with Caleb to get him available for this week. We’ll determine his availability at the end of the week if he is able to successfully integrate into main training on Friday.”
18. Jake Melksham
“Jake has progress really well from his ankle injury that he sustained in Gather Round,” Griffith said. “He completed majority of training last week and completed a match-intensity session on the weekend. The plan is for him to full train this week to be available for selection.”
42. Aidan Johnson
“AJ continues to work on the management of his hip and groin pain,” Griffith said. “He integrated into some of training last week but is still unable to transition into the intensities that we’d like him to be at in order for him to return. “He’ll work closely with our medical and high-performance team until he’s ready for a return.”
28. Brody Mihocek
“He’s progressed well through his hamstring strain, returning to high-intensity running and reconditioning skills last week,” Griffith said. “The plan is for him to integrate into modified training this week, then into full training next week, to hopefully be available in Round 12.”
3. Christian Salem
“Christian has been progressing slowly from his foot fracture,” Griffith said. “Reimaging has shown us that the fracture is healing however he’s been unable to progress to the higher intensity activities. “We need to respect where Christian is at the moment and we’re hoping to get a good conditioning block into him prior to his return.”
Read Article
20. Xavier Lindsay
“Xavier continues to work hard from a reconditioning perspective but has still been unable to progress into high-intensity running and agility,” Griffith said. “Our goal with Xavier is to have him as fit and as strong as possible when he returns, so it’s unlikely he’ll be available until after the bye.”
26. Jed Adams
“Unfortunately, Jed sustained a knee injury during a contest in one of our main drills,” Griffith said. “Scans have shown that he’s injured his PCL, fortunately it doesn’t require surgical intervention, however Jed will miss a chunk of footy as we manage this conservatively. “Once he progresses through the next week, we’ll have a clearer timeline on his return, but he’s currently working on his strength in the hopes to return as quickly as possible.”
23. Shane McAdam
“Shane continues to work hard recovering from that Achilles rupture,” Griffith said. “He’s just looking to build his training integration and high intensity running before we see him return to play in the coming weeks.”
Read Article
7. Jack Viney
“Jack has progressed to light running duties as we continue to build his calf and Achillies strength.”
Read Article
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.
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