MELBOURNE’S forward line could be bolstered by the return of Brody Mihocek this week, who fill face a fitness test prior to the side’s match against GWS.
Mihocek suffered a hamstring strain during Round 8 but is a hopeful addition to the Melbourne side that will head up to Alice Springs in Round 12.
“Brody completed a match-intensity session on the weekend and integrated into training last week,” said Selwyn Griffith, Melbourne’s AFL High Performance Manager.
“He’ll full train this week with the aim for him to be available for selection this weekend.”
Jake Lever will exit the team this week after entering concussion protocols following a contest during Sunday’s match with the Bulldogs.
“Jake has entered into concussion protocols, and we’ll progress him as symptoms allow,” Griffith said.
“If he is able to progress through the 12-day protocols, he will likely be available for our match against Collingwood, however, given it’s early days still, we’ll need to see how he progresses.”
Christian Salem will look to make further progress this week in his rehab of a foot fracture sustained in Round 5.
“Christian has progressed well in the last week,” Griffith said.
“We’ll assess this week in the hope that he’s able to return to running, which still means he’s a number of weeks away, but it’s a positive step forward in his reconditioning.”
Xavier Lindsay continues to manage hip and groin pain.
“Xavier’s still been unable to progress through any high-intensity exercise,” Griffith said.
“He continues to progress well from a strength perspective and will hopefully return to running this week.”
Jed Adams will be looking to enter the next phase of his rehab from a PCL injury sustained at training.
“Jed will have some re-imaging done this week to access how his PCL has been healing, and then that will determine his next phase of rehab,” Griffith said.
“He’s been in a heavy strength and cross-training block and has attacked that with great professionalism.”
Aidan Johnson (hip and groin), Jack Viney (Achilles) and Jai Culley (ACL) continue to work through their respective rehab programs.
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| Player | Injury | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
7. Jack Viney |
Achilles + Back |
Available
“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.” |
|
22. Blake Howes |
Arm |
3 - 5 weeks
“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.” |
|
20. Thomas Matthews |
Shoulder |
Season
“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.” |
|
26. Jed Adams |
Knee |
Season
“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.” |
|
28. Brody Mihocek |
Neck |
Season
“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.” Read Article |
|
13. Jai Culley |
Knee |
Season
“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. |
|
45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield |
Knee |
Season
“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.” Read Article |
7. Jack Viney
“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.”
22. Blake Howes
“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.”
20. Thomas Matthews
“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.”
26. Jed Adams
“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.”
28. Brody Mihocek
“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.”
Read Article
13. Jai Culley
“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.
45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield
“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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