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.
Awaken your Demon in 2026 and get set for a hell of a time.
Brought to you by
| Player | Injury | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
14. Changkuoth Jiath |
Calf |
1 - 2 weeks
“CJ has progressed well through his calf injury and will return to team skills this week, with the goal for him to be available to play next week,” Griffith said. |
|
41. Patrick Cross |
Thumb |
2 - 3 weeks
“Paddy has returned to skill work following his thumb surgery,” Griffith said. “He will progress through main group skills and contact training as pain and function allows with his availability to be accessed next week.” |
|
17. Jake Bowey |
Foot |
2 - 3 weeks
“Jake has been progressing really well over the past few weeks and will integrate into team skills this week,” Griffith said. “We’ll assess his return over the next two weeks.” |
|
23. Shane McAdam |
Achilles |
2 - 3 weeks
“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 |
|
18. Jake Melksham |
Ankle |
3 - 4 weeks
“His injury doesn’t require surgery which is positive, and we’ll aim to progress him as his pain and function allows through a conservative management process,” Griffith said. Read Article |
|
3. Christian Salem |
Foot |
4 - 6 weeks
“Unfortunately, scans have revealed that he sustained a small fracture in his foot,” Griffith said. “He doesn’t require surgery and will progress conservatively. Once pain and function improve, we’ll begin to progress him through his return to play program.” Read Article |
|
24. Trent Rivers |
Knee |
TBC
“Trent has been dealing with ongoing knee soreness,” Griffith said. “We’ve continued to work with him to ensure that he can get back to the brand of football that we all love to see from him. “Unfortunately, after the match simulation on the weekend, he’s pulled up with soreness, which means we’ll now focus on reconditioning his strength and power over the next two weeks.” |
|
29. Tom Campbell |
Neck |
TBC
“Tom was involved in an innocuous collision at training and has suffered a neck injury,” Richardson said. “He’s torn a ligament and will remain in a neck brace for the next month. He’ll see a neurosurgeon this week to determine the path forward for him.” |
|
7. Jack Viney |
Achilles |
TBC
“Jack has progressed to light running duties as we continue to build his calf and Achillies strength.” Read Article |
14. Changkuoth Jiath
“CJ has progressed well through his calf injury and will return to team skills this week, with the goal for him to be available to play next week,” Griffith said.
41. Patrick Cross
“Paddy has returned to skill work following his thumb surgery,” Griffith said. “He will progress through main group skills and contact training as pain and function allows with his availability to be accessed next week.”
17. Jake Bowey
“Jake has been progressing really well over the past few weeks and will integrate into team skills this week,” Griffith said. “We’ll assess his return over the next two weeks.”
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
18. Jake Melksham
“His injury doesn’t require surgery which is positive, and we’ll aim to progress him as his pain and function allows through a conservative management process,” Griffith said.
Read Article
3. Christian Salem
“Unfortunately, scans have revealed that he sustained a small fracture in his foot,” Griffith said. “He doesn’t require surgery and will progress conservatively. Once pain and function improve, we’ll begin to progress him through his return to play program.”
Read Article
24. Trent Rivers
“Trent has been dealing with ongoing knee soreness,” Griffith said. “We’ve continued to work with him to ensure that he can get back to the brand of football that we all love to see from him. “Unfortunately, after the match simulation on the weekend, he’s pulled up with soreness, which means we’ll now focus on reconditioning his strength and power over the next two weeks.”
29. Tom Campbell
“Tom was involved in an innocuous collision at training and has suffered a neck injury,” Richardson said. “He’s torn a ligament and will remain in a neck brace for the next month. He’ll see a neurosurgeon this week to determine the path forward for him.”
7. Jack Viney
“Jack has progressed to light running duties as we continue to build his calf and Achillies strength.”
Read ArticleLast Updated:
