MELBOURNE could receive a forward line boost with selection headaches on the horizon as Bayley Fritsch and Harrison Petty face tests to prove their fitness.
The forward duo was a late withdrawal prior to the Demons’ win over Richmond.
>> FULL INJURY LIST BELOW
Fritsch required finger surgery following a dislocation during his five-goal haul in Tasmania against Hawthorn.
“Bayley obviously was recovering from that wound clean out,” AFL High Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith said.
“He's been cleared to sweat and has returned to running. We’ll integrate him with the group during our main session on Thursday and then assess his availability."
Petty was unable to pass a pre-match fitness test with a hamstring complaint.
“Petty has returned to high intensity running following that fitness test pre-game,” Griffith said.
“We'll look to integrate him into team training on Thursday and ensure that he's able to fully train to then assess his availability to play.”
Head coach Steven King provided a Jack Viney update earlier in the day during his media conference.
RD 19 | Media Conference | Steven King
Kingy speaks to the media ahead of round 19 against North Melbourne
Christian Salem, mid-season draftee Lukas Cooke and the uncapped Jed Adams all made successful VFL returns last weekend.
“Salo returned on managed minutes and got through successfully, he will now be available for a full game,” Griffith said.
Ruckman Max Heath is eyeing this weekend as his chance to return from a month-long battle with shoulder soreness.
“He has made some good progress from his shoulder. He'll look to fully train this week,” Griffith said.
Young gun Xavier Lindsay is seeing some positive progress as he re-joins portions of training with an eye on a football return.
“Xavier has integrated into some of team training,” Griffith said.
“He'll continue to progress with that integration, and hopefully will return to some modified match minutes in the next couple of weeks.”
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| Player | Injury | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
31. Bayley Fritsch |
Finger |
Test
“Bayley obviously was recovering from that wound clean out." “He's been cleared to sweat and has returned to running. We’ll integrate him with the group during our main session on Thursday and then assess his availability." |
|
35. Harrison Petty |
Hamstring |
Test
“Petty has returned to high intensity running following that fitness test pre-game." “We'll look to integrate him into team training on Thursday and ensure that he's able to fully train to then assess his availability to play.” |
|
27. Max Heath |
Shoulder |
Test
“He has made some good progress from his shoulder. He'll look to fully train this week." |
|
20. Xavier Lindsay |
Hip and groin |
1 - 2 weeks
“Xavier has integrated into some of team training." “He'll continue to progress with that integration, and hopefully will return to some modified match minutes in the next couple of weeks.” |
|
7. Jack Viney |
Achilles + Back |
TBC
“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.” |
|
28. Brody Mihocek |
Neck |
Season
“You never want to see an incident in our game, like what we saw with Brody on Monday,” Richardson said. “Brody is in the very best of care and was able to undergo surgery last night, which, thankfully, went as planned. “Our primary focus right now is supporting Brody, his partner Polly and their family through his recovery, while ensuring his return to full health.” 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 |
31. Bayley Fritsch
“Bayley obviously was recovering from that wound clean out." “He's been cleared to sweat and has returned to running. We’ll integrate him with the group during our main session on Thursday and then assess his availability."
35. Harrison Petty
“Petty has returned to high intensity running following that fitness test pre-game." “We'll look to integrate him into team training on Thursday and ensure that he's able to fully train to then assess his availability to play.”
27. Max Heath
“He has made some good progress from his shoulder. He'll look to fully train this week."
20. Xavier Lindsay
“Xavier has integrated into some of team training." “He'll continue to progress with that integration, and hopefully will return to some modified match minutes in the next couple of weeks.”
7. Jack Viney
“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.”
28. Brody Mihocek
“You never want to see an incident in our game, like what we saw with Brody on Monday,” Richardson said. “Brody is in the very best of care and was able to undergo surgery last night, which, thankfully, went as planned. “Our primary focus right now is supporting Brody, his partner Polly and their family through his recovery, while ensuring his return to full health.”
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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