In disappointing news for the Demon defender, Jed Adams has been sidelined for the remainder of the 2026 season with a knee injury
MELBOURNE defender Jed Adams has been sidelined for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season after rupturing his PCL.
The club’s AFL High Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith provided an update on Adams on Tuesday.
“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.”
Coming out of Melbourne’s Round 20 loss to Geelong, Latrelle Pickett has entered concussion protocols.
“Unfortunately, Latrelle failed his HIA during the game and therefore entered the concussion protocols,” Griffith said.
“We’ll assess him through each stage of the protocols to determine his return to play.”
Kade Chandler has also been sidelined following the Friday night game, suffering a fracture to his hand.
“Unfortunately, Kade hurt his hand towards the end of the game and scans have shown that he sustained a fracture to one of the metacarpals,” Griffith said.
“He’s had surgery on that hand and is recovering well now. We’ll assess his wound recovery and will be able to determine his availability following clearance from the surgeon.”
Bayley Fritsch was also involved in a knock during the Geelong match, but has fortunately been cleared of any damage to his ribs.
“Bayley was removed from the game following the hit late in the last quarter,” Griffith said.
“He was then sent to hospital for scans and thankfully they ruled out any internal damage. He’s still a bit sore from that knock, so we’ll asses his availability as the week goes on.”
Caleb Windsor was sidelined for last week's game due to groin soreness and will need to get through Friday's main session to be available for this Sunday's match against Gold Coast.
“Caleb had some groin soreness during our main session last week, and we decided that it was best for him to be managed,” Griffith said.
"He has since returned to run, and the plan is for him to return to full training this week. We’ll determine his availability following our main session on Friday.”
Changkuoth Jiath will need to prove his fitness ahead of Round 21 after missing last week's match following an injury to a tendon in his lower leg.
“CJ was unable to get up for the game last week due to some ongoing soreness from that plantaris tendon rupture,” Griffith said.
“He completed a conditioning and skills session on the weekend, so now we’ll look to integrate him into full training this week.”
Jack Henderson will also need to successfully complete training this week if he's to be available, having spent last week on the sidelines due to an MCL strain.
“Jack missed the game last week due to an MCL strain,” Griffith said.
“Pleasingly he was able to complete a skills and condition session on the weekend. We’ll look to integrate him into training this week and look to be available following Friday.”
In positive news for Xavier Lindsay, the Demon will make his return to football this weekend after managing a hip and groin injury this past few months.
“Xavier has completed a fantastic last month of training, with a couple of weeks of full training,” Griffith said.
“He’ll return to football this weekend via the VFL, playing on managed minutes. We’ll then continue to build his game time over the coming weeks.”
Daniel Turner, who sustained a fracture to one of his ribs last week, has made some positive steps in his rehab.
“Daniel has returned to some running and ball work after sustaining that rib fracture in Round 19,” Griffith said.
“He will integrate into non-contact skills, and we’ll progress him based on his pain and function.”
It was confirmed last week that veteran Demon Jack Viney had integrated into training after managing an Achilles and back injury for the duration of the season.
“As previously mentioned, Jack returned to some training integration with the main group which is a really positive sign given the length of time he’s been managing his back and Achilles issues,” Griffith said.
“We’re continuing to work closely with Jack on how we can further integrate him into training and build his tolerance. This will then guide us on whether a return to play is a possibility in the coming weeks.”
It was also an exciting week for Brody Mihocek who returned to running following surgery on his neck in June.
“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.”
Jacob van Rooyen fractured his nose during Round 20 but has recovered well and will be unrestricted during training this week.
Jai Culley (ACL) and Andy Moniz-Wakefield (ACL) both 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.”
