MELBOURNE will give forward Shelley Scott until the last minute to prove she is ready to face Greater Western Sydney in the NAB AFL Women’s competition on Friday afternoon.
Scott, who can also play in the midfield, is battling shoulder soreness in a bid to join the squad flying to Sydney on Thursday night.
A final decision is expected late on Thursday after the team has a light skills session before it heads to the airport for the Demons' first interstate trip.
"She got a knock in the first quarter (last Saturday against Carlton) and was able to play through it. We'll give her every possible chance to come," Melbourne coach Mick Stinear said.
"If she's right, she'll come and, if not, we'll take another player."
Third-placed Melbourne has already lost defender Brooke Patterson to a hamstring injury for the must-win game against the Giants at Blacktown.
Reduced to 23 fit players by injuries, the Demons were granted permission to activate AFL Victoria academy squad member Elise Strachan from Bendigo.
"Brooke's determined to get back this season, but we've activated Elise. She's athletic and versatile and we're happy to have her on board," the coach said.
The Demons, who play Adelaide in Darwin in the following round, won't get the chance for a training session on the Giants' home ground, but Stinear is focusing on the benefits of back-to-back road trips.
"You get more quality time with the group and it helps players build relationships with each other," he said.
"In terms of the planning, it's about the sessions you do and what you want to get out of them, how much you want to push the group versus the importance of them being at their best on game-day. It puts more stress on the planning, but it's a positive for the group.
"When we go to Darwin, we'll have a run on the ground the day before the game. But we won't try to cram too much in this time."
Melbourne has won its past three games and the six-point win against Carlton last Saturday at Casey Fields reversed a 43-point whipping from the Blues in a pre-season practice match.
"One of main themes has been continual improvement, both individually and as a team," Stinear said.
"It was nearly an eight-goal turnaround from the last time we played Carlton.
"We feel like we're getting better each but there's so much room for improvement."
