MELBOURNE'S injury list could receive a boost this weekend, with Bayley Fritsch, Brody Mihocek and Jai Culley all progressing strongly in their respective recoveries.

Head of High Performance Selwyn Griffith provided an update on the trio, who are all aiming to be available for selection.

Fritsch is continuing to build his workload after a strong training session over the weekend and is expected to reintegrate with the main group later this week.

“Bayley trained really strongly on the weekend,” Griffith said.

“We kept him out of skills with the main group, but he’ll integrate back into skills with the group with the aim to fully train on Friday to be available for this weekend.”

Mihocek has also progressed well as he works through concussion protocols.

“Brody has progressed really well through his concussion protocol,” Griffith said.

“He trained fully at the end of last week and he’ll train fully again this week to be available on Sunday.”

Meanwhile, Culley is closing in on a return after recovering from a fractured arm.

“Jai had been completing non-contact skills as he recovered from that fractured arm, but he’s continued to progress really well,” Griffith said.

“He integrated into full contact at the end of last week and will train fully this week to be available.”

Jack Henderson and Andy Moniz-Wakefield are also available after lengthy stints on the sidelines.

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Player Injury Estimated Return
13. Jai Culley

13. Jai Culley

Arm Available

“Jai had been completing non-contact skills as he recovered from that fractured arm, but he’s continued to progress really well,” Griffith said. “He integrated into full contact at the end of last week and will train fully this week to be available.”

28. Brody Mihocek

28. Brody Mihocek

Concussion Available

“Brody has progressed really well through his concussion protocol,” Griffith said. “He trained fully at the end of last week and he’ll train fully again this week to be available on Sunday.”

31. Bayley Fritsch

31. Bayley Fritsch

Hand Available

“Bayley trained really strongly on the weekend,” Griffith said. “We kept him out of skills with the main group, but he’ll integrate back into skills with the group with the aim to fully train on Friday to be available for this weekend.”

45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

Knee Available
43. Jack Henderson

43. Jack Henderson

Sacrum Available
23. Shane McAdam

23. Shane McAdam

Achilles 2-4 weeks
21. Matt Jefferson

21. Matt Jefferson

Foot 4-6 weeks

“Matt has unfortunately sustained a bone stress injury in his foot,” Richardson said. “We have taken a conservative approach and given him time to de-load. "Once he’s had that period of rest, we will then have a clearer picture of his return to play timeline.”

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42. Aidan Johnson

42. Aidan Johnson

Knee 4-6 weeks
34. Kalani White

34. Kalani White

Glandular Fever 4-6 weeks
44. Luker Kentfield

44. Luker Kentfield

Knee 4-6 weeks
17. Jake Bowey

17. Jake Bowey

Foot 8-10 weeks

“This is a really unfortunate injury for Jake, who hurt his foot during a recent training session, with scans confirming a Lisfranc injury,” Richardson said. “Jake will have surgery in the coming days to repair the Lisfranc injury. We will ensure Jake receives all the support he requires throughout his recovery period.

29. Tom Campbell

29. Tom Campbell

Neck TBC
7. Jack Viney

7. Jack Viney

Achilles TBC
13. Jai Culley

13. Jai Culley

“Jai had been completing non-contact skills as he recovered from that fractured arm, but he’s continued to progress really well,” Griffith said. “He integrated into full contact at the end of last week and will train fully this week to be available.”

Injury: Arm
Est. Return: Available
28. Brody Mihocek

28. Brody Mihocek

“Brody has progressed really well through his concussion protocol,” Griffith said. “He trained fully at the end of last week and he’ll train fully again this week to be available on Sunday.”

Injury: Concussion
Est. Return: Available
31. Bayley Fritsch

31. Bayley Fritsch

“Bayley trained really strongly on the weekend,” Griffith said. “We kept him out of skills with the main group, but he’ll integrate back into skills with the group with the aim to fully train on Friday to be available for this weekend.”

Injury: Hand
Est. Return: Available
21. Matt Jefferson

21. Matt Jefferson

“Matt has unfortunately sustained a bone stress injury in his foot,” Richardson said. “We have taken a conservative approach and given him time to de-load. "Once he’s had that period of rest, we will then have a clearer picture of his return to play timeline.”

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Injury: Foot
Est. Return: 4-6 weeks
17. Jake Bowey

17. Jake Bowey

“This is a really unfortunate injury for Jake, who hurt his foot during a recent training session, with scans confirming a Lisfranc injury,” Richardson said. “Jake will have surgery in the coming days to repair the Lisfranc injury. We will ensure Jake receives all the support he requires throughout his recovery period.

Injury: Foot
Est. Return: 8-10 weeks

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