MELBOURNE could welcome back Bayley Fritsch this week, with the forward a test as he continues to build towards a return.
The club’s AFL High Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith provided an update on the squad.
“Bayley was unfortunately unable to fully train last week due to some ongoing foot soreness. However, he was able to complete a strong conditioning session over the weekend and has pulled up well from that,” Griffith said.
“We’ll look to integrate him back into main training later this week, with his availability to be determined following that session.”
Jake Bowey is also progressing strongly in his recovery from a foot issue.
“Jake has had a really positive fortnight, progressing back into high-intensity conditioning and reconditioning skills,” Griffith said.
“The plan is for him to begin integrating into team-based skills over the next two weeks, with his availability to be assessed following this next conditioning block.”
Changkuoth Jiath continues to progress through his rehab program following his calf injury.
“CJ has returned to running and will look to build his volume across the coming week, with his return-to-play timeline to be determined following this period,” Griffith said.
Patrick Cross is also tracking well after undergoing surgery on his thumb.
“Paddy has recovered well from surgery and is currently awaiting wound clearance before returning to running,” Griffith said.
Kalani White has completed his recovery from glandular fever and will be available for selection this week, while Aidan Johnson, Matthew Jefferson, Luker Kentfield and Daniel Turner have all completed training and remain in the selection frame.
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| Player | Injury | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
6. Caleb Windsor |
Toe |
Test
“Unfortunately, Caleb was unable to get up for last weekend’s game,” Griffith said. “We’re still working diligently with Caleb to get him available for this week. We’ll determine his availability at the end of the week if he is able to successfully integrate into main training on Friday.” |
|
18. Jake Melksham |
Ankle |
Test
“Jake has progress really well from his ankle injury that he sustained in Gather Round,” Griffith said. “He completed majority of training last week and completed a match-intensity session on the weekend. The plan is for him to full train this week to be available for selection.” |
|
42. Aidan Johnson |
Hip and groin |
1 - 2 weeks
“AJ continues to work on the management of his hip and groin pain,” Griffith said. “He integrated into some of training last week but is still unable to transition into the intensities that we’d like him to be at in order for him to return. “He’ll work closely with our medical and high-performance team until he’s ready for a return.” |
|
28. Brody Mihocek |
Hamstring |
1 - 2 weeks
“He’s progressed well through his hamstring strain, returning to high-intensity running and reconditioning skills last week,” Griffith said. “The plan is for him to integrate into modified training this week, then into full training next week, to hopefully be available in Round 12.” |
|
3. Christian Salem |
Foot |
4 - 6 weeks
“Christian has been progressing slowly from his foot fracture,” Griffith said. “Reimaging has shown us that the fracture is healing however he’s been unable to progress to the higher intensity activities. “We need to respect where Christian is at the moment and we’re hoping to get a good conditioning block into him prior to his return.” Read Article |
|
20. Xavier Lindsay |
Hip and groin |
4 - 6 weeks
“Xavier continues to work hard from a reconditioning perspective but has still been unable to progress into high-intensity running and agility,” Griffith said. “Our goal with Xavier is to have him as fit and as strong as possible when he returns, so it’s unlikely he’ll be available until after the bye.” |
|
26. Jed Adams |
Knee |
6 - 8 weeks
“Unfortunately, Jed sustained a knee injury during a contest in one of our main drills,” Griffith said. “Scans have shown that he’s injured his PCL, fortunately it doesn’t require surgical intervention, however Jed will miss a chunk of footy as we manage this conservatively. “Once he progresses through the next week, we’ll have a clearer timeline on his return, but he’s currently working on his strength in the hopes to return as quickly as possible.” |
|
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 |
|
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
“Jai is recovering well from his knee reconstruction and is in the early phases of his program, which is predominately focused on getting his range of motion back and beginning strength work,” Griffith said. |
6. Caleb Windsor
“Unfortunately, Caleb was unable to get up for last weekend’s game,” Griffith said. “We’re still working diligently with Caleb to get him available for this week. We’ll determine his availability at the end of the week if he is able to successfully integrate into main training on Friday.”
18. Jake Melksham
“Jake has progress really well from his ankle injury that he sustained in Gather Round,” Griffith said. “He completed majority of training last week and completed a match-intensity session on the weekend. The plan is for him to full train this week to be available for selection.”
42. Aidan Johnson
“AJ continues to work on the management of his hip and groin pain,” Griffith said. “He integrated into some of training last week but is still unable to transition into the intensities that we’d like him to be at in order for him to return. “He’ll work closely with our medical and high-performance team until he’s ready for a return.”
28. Brody Mihocek
“He’s progressed well through his hamstring strain, returning to high-intensity running and reconditioning skills last week,” Griffith said. “The plan is for him to integrate into modified training this week, then into full training next week, to hopefully be available in Round 12.”
3. Christian Salem
“Christian has been progressing slowly from his foot fracture,” Griffith said. “Reimaging has shown us that the fracture is healing however he’s been unable to progress to the higher intensity activities. “We need to respect where Christian is at the moment and we’re hoping to get a good conditioning block into him prior to his return.”
Read Article
20. Xavier Lindsay
“Xavier continues to work hard from a reconditioning perspective but has still been unable to progress into high-intensity running and agility,” Griffith said. “Our goal with Xavier is to have him as fit and as strong as possible when he returns, so it’s unlikely he’ll be available until after the bye.”
26. Jed Adams
“Unfortunately, Jed sustained a knee injury during a contest in one of our main drills,” Griffith said. “Scans have shown that he’s injured his PCL, fortunately it doesn’t require surgical intervention, however Jed will miss a chunk of footy as we manage this conservatively. “Once he progresses through the next week, we’ll have a clearer timeline on his return, but he’s currently working on his strength in the hopes to return as quickly as possible.”
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
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
“Jai is recovering well from his knee reconstruction and is in the early phases of his program, which is predominately focused on getting his range of motion back and beginning strength work,” Griffith said.
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