KEY FORWARD Mitch Clark will miss the next six to eight weeks due to a foot injury.
Clark will undergo surgery to remove a screw from his right foot.
The leader was set to have the operation at the end of the season, but after consultation with the medical staff, specialists and Clark, it was decided to take the screw out now.
It will help remove the main contributing factors to his current foot complaints, giving Clark the opportunity to play uninhibited in the second half of 2013 and for the rest of his career.
Football manager Josh Mahoney said this was the appropriate action for Clark.
“The best course of action for Mitch is to have the screw removed from his foot now. While his Lisfranc repair is strong and stable, other issues around his foot have contributed to this decision,” he said.
“While this is obviously disappointing for Mitch, and any operation during the season is not ideal, the benefit is that after Mitch recovers he will be able to play the second half of the year and begin pre-season without any further interruptions.”
In better news for the Demons, Chris Dawes played his first match since Melbourne’s NAB Cup opener last Saturday night for Casey. Mahoney said Dawes, along with defenders Lynden Dunn, Joel Macdonald and Tom Gillies, all made successful returns in the VFL.
“They all got through the game well and played the appropriate minutes. They’ll be looking to build on that this week,” he said.
Mahoney said first year Demon Jack Viney was also set to return this week.
“Jack was rested for last Sunday’s game and he trained over the weekend, so he’ll be available to play this week,” he said.
Another young gun, the pre-listed Jesse Hogan, who is ineligible to play in the AFL until 2014, should be right to play in the VFL this round, after copping a corkie.
“Jesse got a corked thigh during the game against Casey,” Mahoney said.
“We expect him to be OK this week.
“At different times during the year, Jesse will be rested for games. He’ll be in consideration for this week’s game.”
Mahoney said versatile tall James Sellar, who was a late withdrawal for Casey last round, was set to return.
“James Sellar was sick the day of the game for Casey on Saturday,” he said.
“He’s feeling a lot better and we’d expect him to play this week.”
Rookie Mitch Clisby could be in doubt this week for Casey, but another rookie, Nathan Stark, made a successful return via the VFL Development League last weekend.
“Mitch had some shin soreness last week. A decision will be made on whether he plays this week in the VFL, given Casey has a bye next week, so that will be taken into consideration,” Mahoney said.
“Nathan played his first game for Casey in the Development side, after an extended period out with a knee injury.
“He got through the game, and will be looking to build on that in the next few weeks.”
Round six Melbourne injury list
Mitch Clark (foot) – 6-8 weeks
Mitch Clisby (shin) – test
Jesse Hogan (corked thigh) – test
James Sellar (ill) – test
