CHRISTIAN Salem and Jake Melksham have been sidelined after the duo sustained injuries during last Saturday’s match against Essendon.
Salem was removed from the game following an incident involving his foot, with the club’s AFL High Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith providing an update on the defender.
“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.”
Melksham played out the remainder of the Round 5 match, but scans have unfortunately confirmed that the forward has suffered a syndesmosis injury.
“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.
Trent Rivers continues to manage a knee concern and will remain on the sidelines over the next fortnight.
“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.”
Changkuoth Jiath is nearing a return to football after missing the last two weeks with a calf strain.
“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.
In positive news for Jake Bowey, the Demon is putting the final touches on his rehab of a Lisfranc injury sustained during pre-season.
“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.”
Young Demon Paddy Cross will also be looking at a return over the next few weeks as he progresses through a thumb injury.
“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 allowed with his availability to be accessed next week.”
Shane McAdam (Achilles), Tom Campbell (neck) and Jack Viney (Achilles) all continue to work through their respective rehab programs.
“Jack has returned to full training over the last few weeks and completed the VFL training session on the weekend,” said Selwyn Griffith, Melbourne’s AFL High Performance Manager.
“He’s been able to build his exposure to match intensities, which has been a really pleasing sign for Jack.
“He’ll return through the VFL this Sunday.”
“Blake has recovered well from having surgery on his fractured arm,” Griffith said.
“He returned to running this week and will have some contact modifications for the next couple of weeks.
“He will then have a surgical review and then following that review, we’ll be able to redefine Blake’s return to contact and full training progressions.”
“Tom has been managing some ongoing shoulder discomfort following the VFL Round 19 game,” Griffith said.
“Off the back of imaging and discussions with external experts, it has been recommended that he has a surgical consultation.
“We won’t see Tom play football against this year, with the likelihood of shoulder surgery to be this week.”
“Following the VFL game against North Melbourne, Jed reported some knee soreness which we followed up with scans,” Griffith said.
“Unfortunately, they revealed that he had ruptured his PCL. Following a surgical consultation, the recommendation was for Jed to have a PCL reconstruction. It’s incredibly unfortunate news for Jed who had worked really hard to return to play this year.
“This means that Jed will be sidelined for the remainder of the season and we’ll put the best plans in place to return him to peak performance in the new year.”
“Brody had some follow up scans and a review from the surgeon, which have pleasingly cleared him to begin to increase some of his physical activity, which means he’s been able to return to running and strength work in the gym,” Griffith said.
“This is a really positive sign for Brody as he recovers from that neck surgery.”
“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.
“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.”
“Jack has returned to full training over the last few weeks and completed the VFL training session on the weekend,” said Selwyn Griffith, Melbourne’s AFL High Performance Manager.
“He’s been able to build his exposure to match intensities, which has been a really pleasing sign for Jack.
“He’ll return through the VFL this Sunday.”
“Blake has recovered well from having surgery on his fractured arm,” Griffith said.
“He returned to running this week and will have some contact modifications for the next couple of weeks.
“He will then have a surgical review and then following that review, we’ll be able to redefine Blake’s return to contact and full training progressions.”
“Tom has been managing some ongoing shoulder discomfort following the VFL Round 19 game,” Griffith said.
“Off the back of imaging and discussions with external experts, it has been recommended that he has a surgical consultation.
“We won’t see Tom play football against this year, with the likelihood of shoulder surgery to be this week.”
“Following the VFL game against North Melbourne, Jed reported some knee soreness which we followed up with scans,” Griffith said.
“Unfortunately, they revealed that he had ruptured his PCL. Following a surgical consultation, the recommendation was for Jed to have a PCL reconstruction. It’s incredibly unfortunate news for Jed who had worked really hard to return to play this year.
“This means that Jed will be sidelined for the remainder of the season and we’ll put the best plans in place to return him to peak performance in the new year.”
“Brody had some follow up scans and a review from the surgeon, which have pleasingly cleared him to begin to increase some of his physical activity, which means he’s been able to return to running and strength work in the gym,” Griffith said.
“This is a really positive sign for Brody as he recovers from that neck surgery.”
“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.
“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.”
