CO-CAPTAIN Jack Viney remains a week-to-week proposition and will face a fitness test for Saturday’s clash against Collingwood at the MCG.
Viney, who missed last Saturday’s win over the Brisbane Lions at the ‘G with a foot injury, will again be monitored in the lead-up to the final home and away round of the season.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said Viney, who missed rounds 16 and 17 with plantar fascia, would continually be monitored each day.
“Jack’s probably been a little bit slower than we thought he’d be. He had a little bit of soreness after not having a long time [on the sidelines] after his initial surgery,” he told Melbourne TV.
“He’s been loading that foot up with those games that he’s played, so he’s improving every day.
“As [coach] Simon Goodwin’s been saying, we’re taking it day-by-day and we’ve been encouraged by how much he’s improved in the last couple of days, but we’ll assess him later in the week.”
Meanwhile, ruckman Jake Spencer is a chance to return this weekend after missing the past two matches in the VFL with an abdominal injury.
“Jake is looking really good,” Misson said.
“He completed some team training today (Tuesday) and has done a fair bit of contact work, so he really needs to get through training on Thursday.”
Defender Mitch White (hamstring) is still about two weeks away.
“Mitch is probably another couple away, but he’s going pretty well in rehab,” Misson said.
Backman Colin Garland (knee), left-footer Dean Kent (shoulder), utility Aaron vandenBerg (heel), high-flyer Joel Smith (knee), forward Tim Smith (navicular bone), first-year Demon Pat McKenna (hamstring) and Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) are all out for the rest of the season.
“Those guys have all got different injuries and are at different stages in their rehab, but they’re still coming into the club and getting pretty busy with their rehab programs,” Misson said.
“They’re looking to set themselves up for a good pre-season.”
Melbourne injury list: round 23
Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – season
Colin Garland (knee) – season
Dean Kent (shoulder) – season
Pat McKenna (hamstring) – season
Joel Smith (knee) – season
Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season
Jake Spencer (abdomen) – test
Jack Viney (foot) – test
Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season
Mitch White (hamstring) – 2 weeks
