CHRISTIAN Salem has taken another positive step in his recovery from a foot fracture, returning to full training with the main group as he edges closer to a return.

Melbourne AFL High Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith said the experienced defender now simply needs to bank a couple more weeks of full training before being available for selection.

“Christian has returned to full training with the main group,” Griffith said.

“He just needs to complete a couple of weeks of full training and then he'll be available.”

In further positive news, Harrison Petty is in the frame for a return this week after progressing well through his hamstring rehabilitation.

“Harrison has progressed well from his hamstring rehab and had a strong training session on the weekend,” Griffith said.

“He has integrated into main training and will have to full train on Thursday during our main session.

“His availability will be determined following that session.”

Jed Adams has progressed back into training with the main group and is expected to be available next week.

“Jed has progressed back into training with the main group,” Griffith said.

“He still has to integrate into some of our contest drills, but he's progressed really well and will look to be available next week.”

Lukas Cooke has recovered well from facial surgery and returned to running and non-contact skills. He is set to resume contact training next week and is also on track to be available.

“Lukas has recovered well from his facial surgery and is back running and back into non-contact skills,” Griffith said.

“He is cleared to return to contact next week and should be available for next week.”

Meanwhile, Max Heath will be assessed following Thursday's main training session as he manages ongoing shoulder soreness.

“Max has just been dealing with some ongoing shoulder soreness,” Griffith said.

“We will assess his availability following our main training session this week.”

 

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Player Injury Estimated Return
10. Daniel Turner

10. Daniel Turner

Knee Available

“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.”

8. Jake Lever

8. Jake Lever

Toe Test

“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.”

21. Matt Jefferson

21. Matt Jefferson

Knee Test

“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.”

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22. Blake Howes

22. Blake Howes

Arm 1 week

“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.”

20. Thomas Matthews

20. Thomas Matthews

Shoulder Season

“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.”

26. Jed Adams

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

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.”

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13. Jai Culley

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

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.”

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10. Daniel Turner

10. Daniel Turner

“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.”

Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Available
8. Jake Lever

8. Jake Lever

“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.”

Injury: Toe
Est. Return: Test
21. Matt Jefferson

21. Matt Jefferson

“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.”

Read Article
Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Test
22. Blake Howes

22. Blake Howes

“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.”

Injury: Arm
Est. Return: 1 week
20. Thomas Matthews

20. Thomas Matthews

“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.”

Injury: Shoulder
Est. Return: Season
26. Jed Adams

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.”

Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Season
28. Brody Mihocek

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
Injury: Neck
Est. Return: Season
13. Jai Culley

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.

Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Season
45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

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.”

Read Article
Injury: Knee
Est. Return: Season

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