MELBOURNE vice-captain Jack Viney is set to take another significant step in his return from injury, with the midfielder expected to play his first game of the season for Casey this weekend.
Viney has completed full training for close to a month after managing a back injury that has kept him sidelined throughout 2026 and will line up against Box Hill on Saturday as he builds towards a potential AFL return.
Senior coach Steven King said the club would take a measured approach with the 32-year-old, whose competitive drive has been evident throughout his rehabilitation.
“He’s been fully training now for nearly a month, he’ll play VFL this weekend, which is great,” King said.
“He’s chomping at the bit. He’s vice-captain of the footy club and an ultimate competitor, the type of player you want to run out with.
Viney has not played since Round 24 last season, with his recovery requiring patience as he worked through both Achilles and back concerns.
King said the immediate focus was simply on getting Viney through a full match and assessing how his body responds before considering a senior recall.
“The first thing is just to get through a whole game, a competitive game, and make sure he pulls up okay,” King said.
“I don’t want to throw Jack Viney into a game where he’s vulnerable to getting injured again.
“I want to make sure that in the long term; he leaves this year ready for next season and in a really good place physically.”
While Viney’s traditional role has been as one of the competition’s most combative inside midfielders, King said the Demons may look to explore other ways to use the experienced campaigner as he returns.
“We’ll have looks at different opportunities for Jack,” King said.
“We know he can play inside, but we’ll look at him in different roles as well, just to add flexibility.
“With five on the bench now it gives us an opportunity to be a bit more flexible with the team.”
Casey takes on Box Hill this weekend, with Viney set to stake his claim in his first competitive hit-out of the year.
