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.
“Disco hyperextended his knee early in the game,” Griffith said.
“Fortunately, scans have cleared him of any substantial ligament damage.
“He was back into some training today and will integrate into full training in our main session this week, so he’ll be available.”
“Jake sustained a toe injury early in the game but was fortunately able to continue,” said Melbourne AFL High-Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith.
“Scans have cleared him of any fractures to the bones in his foot, but he does have a ligament strain to his big toe.
“We’ll continue to manage his recovery and progress him as his function allows, with the aim of getting him back as quickly as possible.”
“Jeffo pulled up well and, similar to Disco, has avoided any substantial ligament damage,” Griffith said.
“He does have a little bit of bone bruising, so we’ll progress him based on his pain and function.
“He was out at training today and got some running in. We’ll continue to work closely with him to see if we can integrate him this week and have him ready for our finals campaign.”
“Howesy continues to progress really well,” Griffith said.
“He’s been getting a heap of conditioning work and non-contact skills in, and has begun to increase some of his contact progressions.
“He has an appointment with his surgeon as one of his final clearance markers, but he is progressing really well.”
“Tom had a surgical consultation last week, which confirmed that he required a shoulder reconstruction,” Griffith said.
“He had that performed last week and is recovering well.
“We’ll work closely with Tom to set him up for a strong off-season and a strong 2027.”
“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.”
“Disco hyperextended his knee early in the game,” Griffith said.
“Fortunately, scans have cleared him of any substantial ligament damage.
“He was back into some training today and will integrate into full training in our main session this week, so he’ll be available.”
“Jake sustained a toe injury early in the game but was fortunately able to continue,” said Melbourne AFL High-Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith.
“Scans have cleared him of any fractures to the bones in his foot, but he does have a ligament strain to his big toe.
“We’ll continue to manage his recovery and progress him as his function allows, with the aim of getting him back as quickly as possible.”
“Jeffo pulled up well and, similar to Disco, has avoided any substantial ligament damage,” Griffith said.
“He does have a little bit of bone bruising, so we’ll progress him based on his pain and function.
“He was out at training today and got some running in. We’ll continue to work closely with him to see if we can integrate him this week and have him ready for our finals campaign.”
“Howesy continues to progress really well,” Griffith said.
“He’s been getting a heap of conditioning work and non-contact skills in, and has begun to increase some of his contact progressions.
“He has an appointment with his surgeon as one of his final clearance markers, but he is progressing really well.”
“Tom had a surgical consultation last week, which confirmed that he required a shoulder reconstruction,” Griffith said.
“He had that performed last week and is recovering well.
“We’ll work closely with Tom to set him up for a strong off-season and a strong 2027.”
“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.”
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