MELBOURNE’S Brody Mihocek has suffered a moderate-grade hamstring strain.
The forward was removed from the side’s Round 8 game on Sunday following a tackle in the first quarter.
“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.”
Over in the VFL, Ricky Mentha Jnr has also been sidelined after injuring his ankle.
“Ricky sustained an ankle injury during the first quarter of the VFL game, it was caught under him in a tackle,” Griffith said.
“Scans have shown he has a moderate-grade ankle strain, but fortunately there’s no syndesmosis injury. He’s been able to start his reconditioning today and we’ll progress him as pain and function allows.”
In positive news for Trent Rivers, the Demon is eyeing off a return to football after managing a knee injury.
“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.”
Aidan Johnson will also be looking to pass a final fitness before returning to the selection table, after managing hip and groin soreness.
“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.”
Xavier Lindsay is continuing manage hip and groin soreness that has seen him sidelined the past fortnight.
“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.”
Jake Melksham is taking positive steps towards a return from an ankle injury sustained in Round 5.
“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.”
Christian Salem, who was also injured in Round 5, is continuing to work through his rehab of a foot fracture.
“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.”
Jai Culley was set to undergo a knee reconstruction on Tuesday, after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in Round 7.
Shane McAdam (Achilles), Tom Campbell (neck) and Jack Viney (Achilles) all continue to work through their respective rehab programs.
“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.”
“Harrison has progressed really well from his low-grade hamstring strain,” Griffith said.
“He was able to complete some high-intensity conditioning prior to going on our mid-season break.
“We'll look to integrate him back into training once we return and determine his return to play.”
“Jed Adams has continued to progress through conditioning and skills work as he eyes a return to non-contact training with the main group.” Griffith said.
"Lukas Cooke has recovered well following facial surgery after sustaining a facial fracture against Collingwood and has returned to running, although he will remain in a non-contact environment for at least the next three weeks." Griffith said.
“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.
“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.”
“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.”
“Harrison has progressed really well from his low-grade hamstring strain,” Griffith said.
“He was able to complete some high-intensity conditioning prior to going on our mid-season break.
“We'll look to integrate him back into training once we return and determine his return to play.”
“Jed Adams has continued to progress through conditioning and skills work as he eyes a return to non-contact training with the main group.” Griffith said.
"Lukas Cooke has recovered well following facial surgery after sustaining a facial fracture against Collingwood and has returned to running, although he will remain in a non-contact environment for at least the next three weeks." Griffith said.
“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.
“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.”
