HARRISON Petty will need to pass one more test to be available for this Sunday’s match against Sydney.
Melbourne’s AFL doctor Jacob Jewson has provided an in-depth update on the defender’s condition following an incident during Round 6.
“Harrison’s presentation on Sunday last week was obviously an unusual one and our role was to make sure that his health and wellbeing were looked after,” Jewson said.
“We needed to make sure that he was safe to return to play, so we started with the concussion protocols, because we couldn't really rule it out at the time.
“He’s gone and had extensive testing done, he’s consulted with multiple world-leading specialists, particularly looking at the brain and heart.
“Thankfully, we were able to rule out any sort of dangerous condition, and the diagnosis is a vestibular migraine.
“A vestibular migraine is a migraine that predominantly affects the balance centres in the brain, which is why it made him very dizzy, but also why his symptoms were quite short-lived.
“The consensus from all the experts is that it's not concussion related, but going through that protocol has allowed us time to consult with all these people and to ensure he has recovered properly.
“We can build him up safely with his training now and make sure it's safe for him to return to play. He'll continue through the protocols, which means he'll need to full train on Friday to be available to play.”
Aidan Johnson will also need to pass a fitness test this week after he was managed due to hip and groin soreness.
“AJ experienced some hip and groin symptoms following a training session,” Jewson said.
“With our current schedule, we looked to ensure that we had AJ well placed to return to high performance, which meant that we rested him.
“That has allowed him to be right to return to full training and the plan at this stage is for AJ to return to full training this week, and we'll assess his availability following our main session on Friday.”
Xavier Lindsay has also been managed over the last two weeks due to symptoms also affecting his hip and groin.
“Xavier presented with some hip and groin pain following our game against Essendon,” Jewson said.
“Unfortunately, he was then unable to train as a result and given he is a young athlete and his welfare is at the forefront of our care, we wanted to ensure that he was completely clear of any symptoms before returning to play.
“He's returned to running and we’ll continue to build up his tolerance to training over the next one to two weeks.”
Trent Rivers looks to be nearing a return to footy after following a knee concern.
“Trent has been responding well to being managed due to his knee issue, which he has had across the last couple of weeks,” Jewson said.
“We're continuing to build his tolerance to high-intensity exercise and team training. It's unlikely he'll be available this week, however, he is completing a heavy training block at the moment and will hopefully be available in the coming weeks.”
Christian Salem has taken some positive steps in his rehab of a foot fracture.
“Christian continues to progress from the foot fracture he sustained in Round 5,” Jewson said.
“He was able to get into some light running on the weekend and will continue to build his tolerance to training and running across the next week.
“It's unlikely he'll be available in the coming weeks while we build him back up to train with the team.”
Jake Melksham will continue through his next rehab phase of a syndesmosis injury.
“Jake continues to recover from his ankle injury and is looking to ramp up some intensity of that this week,” Jewson said.
“He won’t integrate into training just yet, and so will likely still miss the next couple of weeks. We’ll determine his return to play following this next phase of his rehab.”
As confirmed on Saturday night, midfielder Jai Culley has been sidelined for the remainder of the season, set to undergo a knee reconstruction after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Shane McAdam (Achilles), Tom Campbell (neck) and Jack Viney (Achilles) all continue to work through their respective rehab programs.
“CJ returned to training with the main group last week,” Griffith said.
“The plan is for him to continue to train with the main group this week to be available for selection in Round 14.”
“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.”
“Christian and Xavier have both returned to running which is great news for both of them after being diligent with their strength and power phase,” Griffith said.
“Their focus now will be getting through a conditioning block as we lead into our bye, with the hope to have them both available post-bye.”
“Christian and Xavier have both returned to running which is great news for both of them after being diligent with their strength and power phase,” Griffith said.
“Their focus now will be getting through a conditioning block as we lead into our bye, with the hope to have them both available post-bye.”
“Jed has been progressing well from his PCL strain and has been able to enter into some dynamic work now that he’s out of the knee brace,” Griffith said.
“He’s still yet to achieve a couple of markers that we’d like him to hit before he returns to running, but he has been working diligently on his cross-training and strength program.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.
“This is disappointing news for Andy, particularly given the work he put in over the pre-season to return from his previous knee injury. We all really feel for him,” Richardson said.
“Right now, we will make sure Andy is well supported through this tough time.
“The club, along with our medical and high-performance staff, will ensure he receives the highest standard of care and has everything he needs throughout the rehabilitation period.
“While his presence will be missed on the field, we know Andy will continue to bring his positive attitude from the sidelines.”
“CJ returned to training with the main group last week,” Griffith said.
“The plan is for him to continue to train with the main group this week to be available for selection in Round 14.”
“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.”
“Christian and Xavier have both returned to running which is great news for both of them after being diligent with their strength and power phase,” Griffith said.
“Their focus now will be getting through a conditioning block as we lead into our bye, with the hope to have them both available post-bye.”
“Christian and Xavier have both returned to running which is great news for both of them after being diligent with their strength and power phase,” Griffith said.
“Their focus now will be getting through a conditioning block as we lead into our bye, with the hope to have them both available post-bye.”
“Jed has been progressing well from his PCL strain and has been able to enter into some dynamic work now that he’s out of the knee brace,” Griffith said.
“He’s still yet to achieve a couple of markers that we’d like him to hit before he returns to running, but he has been working diligently on his cross-training and strength program.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.
“This is disappointing news for Andy, particularly given the work he put in over the pre-season to return from his previous knee injury. We all really feel for him,” Richardson said.
“Right now, we will make sure Andy is well supported through this tough time.
“The club, along with our medical and high-performance staff, will ensure he receives the highest standard of care and has everything he needs throughout the rehabilitation period.
“While his presence will be missed on the field, we know Andy will continue to bring his positive attitude from the sidelines.”
