Melbourne's most high-profile injury concern centres on co-captain Jack Viney and the foot injury that has taken longer to recover from than first anticipated. Aaron vandenBerg is the Demons' long-term injury concern, with the midfielder slow in his progress from a stress fracture in his heel.

Rule him out: VandenBerg has not begun running yet and there are real concerns about his injury, with a return to the field not in sight.Pat McKenna (hamstring) is about to start running after a number of setbacks in his recovery from a long-term injury.

Racing to be ready: Viney is set to join full training in the next two weeks but a lack of match conditioning ahead of a round one showdown against Geelong will be a big issue. Dean Kent (shoulder) is still in rehab, while defender Joel Smith (leg) has slowly integrated back into full training. Tim Smith (foot) is in the same boat but given the nature of his navicular injury the Demons will be cautious. Sam Weideman (ankle) is another who has been hampered and appears to be in doubt for the opening of the home and away season. - Ben Guthrie