MELBOURNE could welcome back a host of players this week, with several on track to return from injury.
Jake Melksham (foot), Billy Stretch (foot), Marty Hore (collarbone) and Sam Weideman (calf) will all look to prove their fitness during Wednesday’s main training session, with the quartet a chance to line up for the Casey Demons in the VFL on Sunday.
Elite Performance Manager Dave Misson said while they are a test at this stage, all are anticipated to be available for selection.
“If he’s right to go, Melky (Melksham) will play restricted minutes in the VFL, with a view to hopefully make him available for AFL next week,” he told Melbourne Media.
“Marty (Hore) did a good session in rehab yesterday and has a little bit more contact stuff to tick off, but we’re expecting him to be right.
“And we are also expecting Weideman and Stretch to play VFL.”
Oscar McDonald will also be ready to go, after illness caused him to miss last Saturday’s match; as will Tim Smith, who got through the clash at Casey Fields fine.
Meanwhile, Jack Viney and Harry Petty are hoping to take to the field this week, after both sustained injury concerns in the Round 18 loss to West Coast.
Viney, who sat out the second half of the match with concussion, will be monitored closely throughout the week, while any lingering complaints with Petty’s ankle will be assessed on Friday.
“Both Viney and Petty pulled up pretty well from the weekend but will need to be cleared later in the week,” Misson said.
“We’re hopeful that both are going to be okay.”
And Aaron vandenBerg is continuing to progress with his troublesome foot.
“Vanders is going really well,” Misson said.
“He’s strung together seven sessions now, and his foot is feeling the best it has felt, so we’re pretty happy with how he’s tracking.”
Check out the full injury list below:
Injury List
Tim Smith | Calf – Available
Oscar McDonald | Illness – Available
Jack Viney | Concussion – Test
Harry Petty | Ankle – Test
Jake Melksham | Foot – Test
Marty Hore | Collarbone – Test
Sam Weideman | Calf – Test
Billy Stretch | Foot – Test
Tom Sparrow | Knee – 2-3 weeks
Aaron vandenBerg | Foot – TBC
Kade Kolodjashnij | Head – TBC
Tom McDonald | Knee – Season
Jeff Garlett | Shoulder – Season
Joel Smith | Groin – Season
Aaron Nietschke | Knee – Season
Guy Walker | Shoulder – Indefinite
