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.
“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.”
