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
27. Max Heath

27. Max Heath

Shoulder Test

“Max has just been dealing with some ongoing shoulder soreness,” Griffith said. “We will assess his availability following our main training session this week.”

35. Harrison Petty

35. Harrison Petty

Hamstring Test

“Harrison has progressed well from his hamstring rehab and had a strong training session on the weekend,” Griffith said. “He has integrated into main training and will have to full train on Thursday during our main session. “His availability will be determined following that session.”

46. Lukas Cooke

46. Lukas Cooke

Face 1 week

“Lukas has recovered well from his facial surgery and is back running and back into non-contact skills,” Griffith said. “He is cleared to return to contact next week and should be available for next week.”

3. Christian Salem

3. Christian Salem

Foot 1 - 2 weeks

“Christian has returned to full training with the main group,” Griffith said. “He just needs to complete a couple of weeks of full training and then he'll be available.”

26. Jed Adams

26. Jed Adams

Knee 1 - 2 weeks

“Jed has progressed back into training with the main group,” Griffith said. “He still has to integrate into some of our contest drills, but he's progressed really well and will look to be available next week.”

20. Xavier Lindsay

20. Xavier Lindsay

Hip and groin 3 - 4 weeks

"Xavier Lindsay also continues to make progress in his recovery from a hip and groin issue," said Griffith.

7. Jack Viney

7. Jack Viney

Achilles + Back TBC

“Jack has been working incredibly hard with our high performance and medical team to return from his Achilles surgery that he had earlier this year,” Griffith said. “Unfortunately, while working through his rehab from that surgery, Jack has also had a lower back concern, which is something that he’s managed over the last couple of seasons. “As a result of that lower back pain, he’s been progressing slower through his post-surgery rehab program. “Pleasingly, he has been able to progress from a strength and movement perspective through his lower back, which has now allowed him to continue through his Achilles rehab. “Jack has worked incredibly hard to get on top of both of these injuries and it’s really pleasing that he’s now starting to see some progression, with the hope to see more soon.”

28. Brody Mihocek

28. Brody Mihocek

Neck Season

“You never want to see an incident in our game, like what we saw with Brody on Monday,” Richardson said. “Brody is in the very best of care and was able to undergo surgery last night, which, thankfully, went as planned. “Our primary focus right now is supporting Brody, his partner Polly and their family through his recovery, while ensuring his return to full health.”

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13. Jai Culley

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.

45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

Knee Season

“Andy went in for surgery today following his ACL injury,” Griffith said. “Once he recovers from that surgery, we’ll begin to progress him through the first stages of his knee rehab.”

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27. Max Heath

27. Max Heath

“Max has just been dealing with some ongoing shoulder soreness,” Griffith said. “We will assess his availability following our main training session this week.”

Injury: Shoulder
Est. Return: Test
35. Harrison Petty

35. Harrison Petty

“Harrison has progressed well from his hamstring rehab and had a strong training session on the weekend,” Griffith said. “He has integrated into main training and will have to full train on Thursday during our main session. “His availability will be determined following that session.”

Injury: Hamstring
Est. Return: Test
46. Lukas Cooke

46. Lukas Cooke

“Lukas has recovered well from his facial surgery and is back running and back into non-contact skills,” Griffith said. “He is cleared to return to contact next week and should be available for next week.”

Injury: Face
Est. Return: 1 week
3. Christian Salem

3. Christian Salem

“Christian has returned to full training with the main group,” Griffith said. “He just needs to complete a couple of weeks of full training and then he'll be available.”

Injury: Foot
Est. Return: 1 - 2 weeks
26. Jed Adams

26. Jed Adams

“Jed has progressed back into training with the main group,” Griffith said. “He still has to integrate into some of our contest drills, but he's progressed really well and will look to be available next week.”

Injury: Knee
Est. Return: 1 - 2 weeks
20. Xavier Lindsay

20. Xavier Lindsay

"Xavier Lindsay also continues to make progress in his recovery from a hip and groin issue," said Griffith.

Injury: Hip and groin
Est. Return: 3 - 4 weeks
7. Jack Viney

7. Jack Viney

“Jack has been working incredibly hard with our high performance and medical team to return from his Achilles surgery that he had earlier this year,” Griffith said. “Unfortunately, while working through his rehab from that surgery, Jack has also had a lower back concern, which is something that he’s managed over the last couple of seasons. “As a result of that lower back pain, he’s been progressing slower through his post-surgery rehab program. “Pleasingly, he has been able to progress from a strength and movement perspective through his lower back, which has now allowed him to continue through his Achilles rehab. “Jack has worked incredibly hard to get on top of both of these injuries and it’s really pleasing that he’s now starting to see some progression, with the hope to see more soon.”

Injury: Achilles + Back
Est. Return: TBC
28. Brody Mihocek

28. Brody Mihocek

“You never want to see an incident in our game, like what we saw with Brody on Monday,” Richardson said. “Brody is in the very best of care and was able to undergo surgery last night, which, thankfully, went as planned. “Our primary focus right now is supporting Brody, his partner Polly and their family through his recovery, while ensuring his return to full health.”

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Injury: Neck
Est. Return: Season
13. Jai Culley

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.

Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Season
45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

“Andy went in for surgery today following his ACL injury,” Griffith said. “Once he recovers from that surgery, we’ll begin to progress him through the first stages of his knee rehab.”

Read Article
Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Season

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