MELBOURNE’S injury list continues to trend in the right direction, with several Demons progressing strongly as they edge closer to full training and availability.
Head of High Performance Selwyn Griffith provided an update on a number of players, with multiple timelines beginning to take shape.
Matt Jefferson has returned to running as he works through a bone stress injury, with the focus now on gradually building his load.
“Jeffo is back to running following some bone stress. He will look to just build the intensity of his training involvement over the coming weeks to integrate him back into the group.” Griffith said.
Aidan Johnson has also taken positive steps forward in his recovery from a knee injury, with a return to full training on the horizon.
“AJ has progressed really well from that knee injury. He’s now back into some reconditioning skills and high intensity running,” Griffith said.
“We’ll look to integrate him back into the group over the coming weeks and hopefully soon return to full training within the next two weeks.”
There was encouraging news for Luker Kentfield, who is closing in on a return to team training following a recent consultation.
“Luker saw the surgeon this week who was really happy with how he’s progressed from a conservative management perspective,” Griffith said.
“He’s begun to ramp up his high intensity running and agility with a plan to integrate him back into team training next week.”
Kalani White is also building well after recovering from glandular fever, with contact work now back on the agenda.
“Kalani has recovered from glandular fever. We’re still building his tolerance to high intensity training and skills,” Griffith said.
“He’s had clearance now to start contact training, and so we’ll build his skill involvement over the coming weeks.”
Shane McAdam continues to progress in his return from an Achilles rupture, with a gradual build towards match readiness.
“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.”
Jake Bowey is also making steady progress, with running set to be reintroduced shortly.
“Jake is progressing well. He’s begun to do some dynamic work through his foot and ankle,” Griffith said.
“The aim will be for him to run either end of this week or start of next week, and then we’ll progressively build his loads and integration into football over the coming month.”
Griffith also provided an update on Jack Viney as he continues his recovery.
“Jack’s progression following his Achilles injury has been really pleasing. He’s responded strongly to each phase of his rehabilitation, particularly with his dynamic loading and strength work continuing to build well.”
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| Player | Injury | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
42. Aidan Johnson |
Hip and groin |
Test
“Aidan integrated into main training last week but unfortunately he was unable to get through the full training successfully, which is why he was unavailable for selection,” Griffith said. “We’ll continue to work with him to ensure he’s ready for a return as soon as possible, with the hope that he’s able to successfully integrate into training this week.” |
|
24. Trent Rivers |
Knee |
Test
“Trent had a really good week on the track last week integrating back into the main group,” Griffith said. “We’ll look to continue that integration this week, with his availability determined by his performance and function in training.” |
|
18. Jake Melksham |
Ankle |
1 - 2 weeks
“Jake had a really good training session on the weekend and so we’ll look to ramp up his intensity and agility this week,” Griffith said. “Our goal now, is that he’ll integrate into main training next week.” Read Article |
|
3. Christian Salem |
Foot |
2 - 3 weeks
“Christian has been unable to progress his running intensity,” Griffith said. “We’ll continue to work with him on that, with the aim to have him return to main training as quickly as possible, but it’s likely he’ll be unavailable for the coming weeks.” Read Article |
|
20. Xavier Lindsay |
Hip and groin |
2 - 4 weeks
“Xavier returned to running last week, but unfortunately, he’s presented with soreness from that progression,” Griffith said. “We want to ensure that his strength and function is at a level that allows him to perform at his best, so at this stage, we’ve pushed his return back a couple of weeks.” |
|
28. Brody Mihocek |
Hamstring |
3 - 5 weeks
“Unfortunately, Brody experienced pain after that tackle in the first quarter and scans have shown he suffered a moderate-grade hamstring strain,” said Selwyn Griffith, the club’s AFL High Performance Manager. “He was back in at the club today and has started to progress through our hamstring reconditioning protocol.” |
|
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 |
|
13. Jai Culley |
Knee |
Season
“Unfortunately for Jai, scans have confirmed that he has ruptured his ACL, which will require a knee reconstruction,” Richardson said. “It’s a really tough blow for him, particularly given the way he has been going about his footy and the consistency he has been able to build this year.” “We have no doubt Jai will attack his rehab with the same professionalism he brings to his footy and we will ensure that he gets all the support he needs from our people through the recovery period.” |
42. Aidan Johnson
“Aidan integrated into main training last week but unfortunately he was unable to get through the full training successfully, which is why he was unavailable for selection,” Griffith said. “We’ll continue to work with him to ensure he’s ready for a return as soon as possible, with the hope that he’s able to successfully integrate into training this week.”
24. Trent Rivers
“Trent had a really good week on the track last week integrating back into the main group,” Griffith said. “We’ll look to continue that integration this week, with his availability determined by his performance and function in training.”
18. Jake Melksham
“Jake had a really good training session on the weekend and so we’ll look to ramp up his intensity and agility this week,” Griffith said. “Our goal now, is that he’ll integrate into main training next week.”
Read Article
3. Christian Salem
“Christian has been unable to progress his running intensity,” Griffith said. “We’ll continue to work with him on that, with the aim to have him return to main training as quickly as possible, but it’s likely he’ll be unavailable for the coming weeks.”
Read Article
20. Xavier Lindsay
“Xavier returned to running last week, but unfortunately, he’s presented with soreness from that progression,” Griffith said. “We want to ensure that his strength and function is at a level that allows him to perform at his best, so at this stage, we’ve pushed his return back a couple of weeks.”
28. Brody Mihocek
“Unfortunately, Brody experienced pain after that tackle in the first quarter and scans have shown he suffered a moderate-grade hamstring strain,” said Selwyn Griffith, the club’s AFL High Performance Manager. “He was back in at the club today and has started to progress through our hamstring reconditioning protocol.”
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 Article
13. Jai Culley
“Unfortunately for Jai, scans have confirmed that he has ruptured his ACL, which will require a knee reconstruction,” Richardson said. “It’s a really tough blow for him, particularly given the way he has been going about his footy and the consistency he has been able to build this year.” “We have no doubt Jai will attack his rehab with the same professionalism he brings to his footy and we will ensure that he gets all the support he needs from our people through the recovery period.”
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