AHEAD of Melbourne’s Opening Round clash against Sydney, two Demons have become available for selection, graduating from the rehab group.  

Ben Brown (knee) and Charlie Spargo (Achilles) will both be fit to play after stints on the sidelines.  

Selwyn Griffith, Melbourne’s High-Performance Manager, provided an update on the health of the club’s list two days out from their season-opener at the SCG.   

“Ben has integrated into main training and has done two weeks of match-load sessions and is available to play this week, so it’s been a great re-conditioning phase for him,” Griffith told Melbourne Media. 

“Charlie had some Achillies soreness with a bit of posterior ankle impingement as well and we’ve been able to get on top of that over the last few weeks. 

“He completed a really good re-conditioning session last week and completed main training today, so he’s available for selection this week.” 

Wingman Lachie Hunter (calf) has spent time on the sidelines in recent weeks but is eyeing a return to main training in three to four weeks’ time.  

“Lachie has had a calf injury that has restricted him from doing part of pre-season, which has been frustrating for him,” Griffith said.  

“He’s currently in a conditioning phase and looking to continue to build through that so as to integrate into the main group in the coming weeks.”  

New recruit Shane McAdam has also had a restricted pre-season, despite progressing through a calf concern, the dynamic forward is now battling a hamstring injury.  

“Unfortunately for Shane, he’s had an interrupted pre-season and we’ve been working closely with him to put the best program around him, given he’s come from a new club and he’s integrating into a new training environment,” Griffith said.  

“He’s been completing some conditioning away from the group and our goal with Shane is to build him to a level to allow him to integrate into training and so he’s ready to thrive in our environment.” 

In positive news for Harrison Petty (toe), the utility is back on track to return to play in the near future after a recent minor setback.   

“Harrison had a really good off-season and pre-season coming back from that injury at the backend of last season,” Griffith said. 

“As a result of his reload, he actually sustained an injury to his other foot and that restricted some of his progression from that original injury. 

“He’s now worked his way through that subsequent injury and is back into training with the group.  

“He’ll complete match-load sessions this week and will look to integrate him into main training in the coming weeks to be available for AFL football.” 

Young defender Daniel Turner (hip) has been unlucky with injury in the backend of pre-season and will spend the coming seven to eight weeks on the sidelines.  

“Daniel had a hip or upper-leg injury, so he’s had to have a bit of time off-legs with that injury,” Griffith said.  

“He's now about to integrate into running on ground and on the Alter-G, so then we’ll begin to build his conditioning and skills in the coming weeks.”   

Fan favourite Demon Jake Melksham has continued to work through his long-term rehab schedule after sustaining an ACL injury at the backend of last season. 

“He’s going really well at the moment,” Griffith said.

“His conditioning phase that’s really focused on his high-intensity agility and his aerial forward craft.   

“We’ll have some further testing that we’ll do off-site with experts in this field in the coming weeks, just so we’re best preparing Jake to be able to integrate into training.” 

Check out the full injury list below.