FOUR DEMONS will need to past fitness tests this week as the team prepares to face Richmond on Sunday.
The club’s AFL High Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith provided an injury update on Tuesday, beginning with forward Bayley Fritsch.
“Bayley sustained a dislocated finger during Round 17 but was able to complete the game,” Griffith said.
“He has since had the wound stitched, and as a result of that, will be restricted to non-sweating activity in the early stages of this week such as limited ball work.
“We’ll reassess his availability following our main session later in the week.”
Christian Salem (foot) and Jed Adams (knee) are both set to complete their final steps of their rehab programs, hopeful of a return to football this weekend.
“Jed and Christian have both progressed well through the end stage of their re-conditioning,” Griffith said.
“They’ll integrate into full training this week and if all goes well, they will be available this weekend.”
Ruck Max Heath, who missed game time last week due to shoulder soreness, will once again need to prove his fitness ahead of this weekend.
“Unfortunately, Max was unable to get up due to his ongoing shoulder soreness,” Griffith said.
“He’ll integrate into this week’s main training and will once again need to prove his fitness to be available for this weekend’s game.”
In positive news for young Demon Lukas Cooke, the defender will return to football this weekend after overcoming a fracture to his face.
“Lukas has progressed well through his rehab of that facial fracture,” Griffith said.
“He’ll return to full training this week and will look to be available.”
Xavier Lindsay, who has been managing hip and groin soreness, will now move on to his next phase of rehab.
“Xavier has had a good couple of weeks building his running volume and intensity,” Griffith said.
“This week he’ll be completing our skill progressions with the plan to integrate him into training next week.”
Jack Viney (Achilles and back), Brody Mihocek (neck), Jai Culley (knee) and Andy Moniz-Wakefield (knee) all continue to work through their respective rehab programs.
“Blake continues to progress well following his fracture and has now begun some non-contact ball work,” said Selwyn Griffith, Melbourne’s AFL High-Performance Manager.
“He has a surgical review in just over a week, which will give us further information on his return to contact as we lead into finals.”
“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.”
“Blake continues to progress well following his fracture and has now begun some non-contact ball work,” said Selwyn Griffith, Melbourne’s AFL High-Performance Manager.
“He has a surgical review in just over a week, which will give us further information on his return to contact as we lead into finals.”
“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.”
