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 |
|---|---|---|
41. Patrick Cross |
Thumb |
Available
“Paddy progressed strongly last week and was able to integrate into the VFL game while being part of the AFL squad,” Griffith said. “He played 50 per cent game time, pulled up well, and is available for selection this week.” |
|
14. Changkuoth Jiath |
Calf |
Test
“CJ had a really strong week, completing full training with the main group and a quality session over the weekend,” Griffith said. “He’ll look to train fully again this week to be available for selection.” |
|
17. Jake Bowey |
Foot |
Test
“Jake has completed a couple of weeks of integration into team training as part of his return-to-performance plan,” Griffith said. “He’s expected to play 50 per cent game time in the VFL this week, with his AFL availability to be assessed following that.” |
|
18. Jake Melksham |
Ankle |
2-3 weeks
“Jake continues to work diligently through his reconditioning,” Griffith said. “He’s progressing well but remains a couple of weeks away.” Read Article |
|
3. Christian Salem |
Foot |
2-3 weeks
“Christian had a pleasing end to the week and is tracking well from his foot injury,” Griffith said. “He’s yet to return to running, so we’ll continue to progress him and assess his availability in the coming weeks.” Read Article |
|
24. Trent Rivers |
Knee |
2-3 weeks
“Trent has made solid progress from a strength and power perspective and is working towards reintegration into team training,” Griffith said. “At this stage, he won’t be available this week, but we’ll continue to support his progression.” |
|
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 |
|
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 |
41. Patrick Cross
“Paddy progressed strongly last week and was able to integrate into the VFL game while being part of the AFL squad,” Griffith said. “He played 50 per cent game time, pulled up well, and is available for selection this week.”
14. Changkuoth Jiath
“CJ had a really strong week, completing full training with the main group and a quality session over the weekend,” Griffith said. “He’ll look to train fully again this week to be available for selection.”
17. Jake Bowey
“Jake has completed a couple of weeks of integration into team training as part of his return-to-performance plan,” Griffith said. “He’s expected to play 50 per cent game time in the VFL this week, with his AFL availability to be assessed following that.”
18. Jake Melksham
“Jake continues to work diligently through his reconditioning,” Griffith said. “He’s progressing well but remains a couple of weeks away.”
Read Article
3. Christian Salem
“Christian had a pleasing end to the week and is tracking well from his foot injury,” Griffith said. “He’s yet to return to running, so we’ll continue to progress him and assess his availability in the coming weeks.”
Read Article
24. Trent Rivers
“Trent has made solid progress from a strength and power perspective and is working towards reintegration into team training,” Griffith said. “At this stage, he won’t be available this week, but we’ll continue to support his progression.”
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
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:
