MELBOURNE could be bolstered by the return of two defenders this week with Tahlia Gillard and Sinead Goldrick in their final steps of rehab.

Gillard has been sidelined with an MCL injury for the past seven weeks, with AFLW High Performance Manager Josh Keily providing an update on the Demon.

“Tahlia has been tracking really well,” Keily said.

“She’s integrated into training and will be a test for Round 6. She’s just needing to tick off a few things on Wednesday to be available.”

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Similarly, Sinead Goldrick has been working through a minor shoulder injury and will also need the final tick of availability following the team’s session tomorrow.

“Sinead’s been building well, ticking off her contact training,” Keily said.

“Similarly to Tahlia, she just needs to get through main training on Wednesday to be available.”

In more positive news, Denby Taylor will return to football this weekend via a match scrimmage.

Taylor had been managing bone stress in her foot during the opening half of the season but has recently progressed to main training.

“Denby’s been flying through, which is great to see,” Keily said.

“If she gets through Wednesday’s training, we’ll get her involved in a half of football through the match scrimmage.”

After injuring her MCL during Round 2, Blaithin Mackin is making positive progress, now entering a new phase of her rehab.

“Blaithin has been given the tick off to return to on-field running, so has completed her first session of that yesterday,” Keily said.

“She’ll now enter a three-week reload to then get into football activity.”

Sarah Lampard continues to manage a calf injury sustained prior to Round 2.

“Unfortunately, Sarah experienced some symptoms towards the end of last week,” Keily said.

“We’ll look to reload her again this week with the aim to get her through that with minimal symptoms.”

Liv Purcell has returned to club two weeks on from undergoing surgery on her ACL injury.

“It’s good to have Liv back in at the club,” Keily said.

“All the girls are getting around her and she’s in good spirits. She’s close to getting full extension back in her knee which is a positive sign following surgery.”

Grace Beasley (ACL) and Jacinta Hose (back) continue to progress through their respective rehab programs.