SEVERAL Demon players remain right in the mix to play in Melbourne’s season opener against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday.
Jack Trengove (foot), Mitch Clark (foot), Sam Blease (ankle) and Jack Viney (neck) all played for Casey in last Saturday’s VFL practice match against Port Melbourne at Casey Fields, and according to elite performance manager Dave Misson they will be tested later in the week to determine their round one status.
“They (Clark and Trengove) got through well, as did Sammy Blease, who was previously on the [injury] list, as did Jack Viney,” he said.
“Those four guys had a good hit out at Casey and pulled up really well.
“They haven’t done much early in the week, but they’ll train fully on Thursday.”
Big men Chris Dawes (hamstring) and Tom McDonald (ankle) will also be tested.
“They both trained well today (Tuesday), so again they’ll train on Thursday and it’s going to be up to the match committee, if they get chosen for round one,” Misson said.
“But physically, they’re tracking well.”
Runner Rohan Bail (concussion) will miss the first round, but is on track for the VFL next week.
“He actually got a really good report from his neuro surgeon last week,” Misson said.
“He was always going to need to do at least two weeks of full contact training, before being allowed to play.
“He’ll look to be available for round one of the VFL, which is round two of the AFL.”
Some good news could also emerge with ruckman Max Gawn (knee/hamstring), who is now a genuine chance to play for Casey this weekend – his first match of any sorts since August 2011.
“Maxy could play this week,” Misson said.
“He’s been in full training and he’s essentially ticked every box from a rehab point of view and it’s when we decide he’s ready for a game – I would like to think it’d be this week.”
But first-year rookie Nathan Stark and forward/ruckman Jack Fitzpatrick will be sidelined for this weekend’s VFL hit out.
“Starky has had a little bit of patella tendonitis the last couple of weeks. Being a young kid, we want to try and get rid of that before he plays. We want to give him a decent crack at the rest of the season, without any knee pain,” Misson said.
“Fitzy copped a whack in the eye in the Casey game on the weekend. He had a little bit of concussion, so we’ve ruled him out for this week.
“It’s only a practice game and we want to try and get him up for round one of the VFL, so he’ll have an easy week this week and look to train next week.”
Misson said the players and coaches were itching for the start of the season.
“Everyone’s relived that pre-season’s over and the real stuff’s here,” he said.
“It’s been a long pre-season and we’re really happy with how it’s gone, but it’s a different kettle of fish now. We’re playing for keeps and we’ve had a really good build up.
“We trained well today and we’ll have a lighter session Thursday and Saturday and look to get them up, fresh and ready to go for Sunday.”
