RUCKMAN Jake Spencer is a chance to play in Monday’s Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood at the MCG and fellow big man Max Gawn is now only one to two weeks away.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said Spencer was right in the frame to play after being sidelined since round six with a shoulder injury; All-Australian ruckman Gawn (hamstring) is also getting closer to a return.
“Jake did a bit of training with the main group today (Tuesday) and then did 45 minutes with our ruck coach [Greg Stafford] and did some full ruck contact, and did really well,” he told Melbourne TV.
“He essentially will be a test for the weekend, but we actually expect him to play in the AFL or VFL, depending on what match committee decides, but he’s going really well.
“Max is doing some great sessions in rehab and did another one today. He did a lot of contested ruck work and a lot of running. He’s probably one to two weeks away.”
Key forward Jesse Hogan (testicular cancer) and Angus Brayshaw (concussion) are continually being assessed.
“Jesse had his first run today, which was good. He’s done a bit of strength work last week and we hope to progress his running, based on how he’s feeling,” Misson said.
“Angus has done some good work in the last week. The main thing we’re looking to progress each session is his move towards full contact – that’s still a work in progress.
“He took some real steps forward today, which was good.”
Tough-nut Aaron vandenBerg (heel) is set to have an operation on Tuesday and has now been ruled indefinite; youngster Pat McKenna (hamstring) will be delayed until August.
“Paddy McKenna had [an operation] a couple of weeks ago and it’s healed really well. The wound is great and his range is very good,” he said.
“Aaron is actually in Sydney having an operation today, so we’ll see how that goes, but unfortunately we probably don’t expect him to get back this year.
“We’ll just see how the operation pans out.”
Rookies Joel Smith (shoulder) and Lochie Filipovic (hip) will miss another three to four weeks each.
“Joel, with that shoulder, is killing it in rehab and doing some great sessions. He’s doing some really good running and some good contested work. He needs to improve his strength a little bit more and get that range in his shoulder, but he’s not that far away at all,” Misson said.
“Lochie with his hip has been a little bit slow, but in a month’s time we expect him to playing.”
Defender Colin Garland is going well in rehab, as he continues to work his way back from a season-ending knee injury.
Melbourne injury list: round 12
Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – indefinite
Lochie Filipovic (hip) – 3-4 weeks
Colin Garland (knee) – season
Max Gawn (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks
Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 10 weeks
Jesse Hogan (testicular cancer) – indefinite
Joel Smith (shoulder) – 3-4 weeks
Jake Spencer (shoulder) – test
Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – indefinite
