MELBOURNE is set to regain key duo Jesse Hogan and Colin Garland for its round 14 clash against the West Coast Eagles at TIO Stadium.
The Demons have the bye this weekend – on the back of their outstanding 24-point win over the Cats at Simonds Stadium last Sunday – and then head up to the Northern Territory for their clash on Saturday night, July 4.
Manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said he expected Hogan (hamstring tightness) and Garland (hand) to play, after they missed last round and the past two matches respectively through injury.
“Jesse Hogan has completed a number of running sessions on Sunday morning and again on Tuesday, so we expect him to be available after the break for the match in Darwin,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“Colin Garland, who had an operation on his hand, has been cleared to play prior to the Darwin game.
Mahoney said small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris was also set to return.
“Jay has played two games back from his groin injury,” he said.
“His first game was in the Development League and then he played in the VFL on the weekend, so we expect him to be available.”
In other good news, former co-captain Jack Grimes could return earlier than expected, after he broke his thumb against St Kilda in Melbourne’s two-point loss at Etihad Stadium in round 11.
“Jack Grimes has had some positive news with his thumb and he may be looking to return earlier than expected,” Mahoney said.