TWO Demons will need to successfully pass fitness tests this week as Narrm prepares to face the Western Bulldogs this Sunday.
The club’s AFL High Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith provided an update on veteran forward Jake Melksham, who will look to return from an ankle injury sustained in Round 5.
“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.”
Similarly, Caleb Windsor will be hoping to return after a week sidelined with a toe injury.
“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.”
In disappointing news for Demon Jed Adams, the defender will be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering a PCL injury at training.
“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.”
Forward Brody Mihocek is ticking off some final steps in his rehab of a hamstring strain.
“He’s progressed well through his hamstring strain and returned 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.”
Aidan Johnson will spend another week on the sidelines as he works through hip and groin pain.
“AJ continues to manage 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.”
Unfortunately for Christian Salem, the Demon will remain sidelined for the month as he continues to manage a foot fracture sustained in Round 5.
“Christian has been progressing slowly from his foot fracture,” Griffith said.
“Re-imaging 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.”
Xavier Lindsay will also remain sidelined until after Narrm’s bye, the young Demon unable to progress further through the next phase of his rehab.
“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.”
In some positive news for Jai Culley, the Demon has successfully undergone knee surgery and has started the long road to return.
“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.
Jack Viney and Shane McAdam 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.”
