A NUMBER of Demons are set to face fitness tests prior to Melbourne’s blockbuster King’s Birthday clash with Collingwood on Monday.
The Dees’ backline could receive a boost from the return of key defender Jake Lever, who will need to tick off concussion protocols prior to selection.
“Jake is progressing well through the concussion protocols,” Griffith said.
“He has another two phases to complete as part of those protocols before we can determine his availability.”
Changkuoth Jiath, who was managed in Round 12, will return to main training after a modified week on the track.
“CJ has been managing some patella tendon soreness over the last few weeks and following the game at Marvel, he had an increase in soreness,” Griffith said.
“We took that opportunity to modify some of his training loads to ensure that he could return to his full athleticism.
“We’ll determine his availability over the coming days as he integrates back into training with the group.”
Similarly to Lever and Jiath, Latrelle Pickett will need to prove his fitness prior to Monday after suffering a corkie during Sunday’s game against GWS.
“Latrelle sustained a corkie during the game and was able to continue for some time but stiffened up and felt it compromised his performance as the match went on,” Griffith said.
“He’s recovered well and we anticipate that he’ll enter into full training this week, to hopefully be available for Round 13.”
In positive news for Christian Salem (foot) and Xavier Lindsay (hip and groin), the Demon defenders have returned to running.
“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 Adams is continuing to take positive steps in his rehab of a PCL injury.
“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 Viney, who has been sidelined following Achilles surgery, has also been managing lower back pain.
“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.”
Harrison Petty came off during Sunday’s game but was given the all clear to return to the field and will be available for Monday’s match.
It was also confirmed yesterday that Andy Moniz-Wakefield would be sidelined for the remainder of the season after rupturing his ACL in the last term of Sunday’s game.
Aidan Johnson (hip and groin) and Jai Culley (ACL) continue to work through their respective rehab programs.
“Jake is progressing well through the concussion protocols,” Griffith said.
“He has another two phases to complete as part of those protocols before we can determine his availability.”
“CJ has been managing some patella tendon soreness over the last few weeks and following the game at Marvel, he had an increase in soreness,” Griffith said.
“We took that opportunity to modify some of his training loads to ensure that he could return to his full athleticism.
“We’ll determine his availability over the coming days as he integrates back into training with the group.”
“Latrelle sustained a corkie during the game and was able to continue for some time but stiffened up and felt it compromised his performance as the match went on,” Griffith said.
“He’s recovered well and we anticipate that he’ll enter into full training this week, to hopefully be available for Round 13.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Jake is progressing well through the concussion protocols,” Griffith said.
“He has another two phases to complete as part of those protocols before we can determine his availability.”
“CJ has been managing some patella tendon soreness over the last few weeks and following the game at Marvel, he had an increase in soreness,” Griffith said.
“We took that opportunity to modify some of his training loads to ensure that he could return to his full athleticism.
“We’ll determine his availability over the coming days as he integrates back into training with the group.”
“Latrelle sustained a corkie during the game and was able to continue for some time but stiffened up and felt it compromised his performance as the match went on,” Griffith said.
“He’s recovered well and we anticipate that he’ll enter into full training this week, to hopefully be available for Round 13.”
“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.”
“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.”
