MELBOURNE will wait for specialist advice on Tayla Harris’ troublesome shoulder before gaining a clearer picture of her future availability.  

Harris will miss this week’s clash against Brisbane after experiencing some shoulder instability during the Demons’ Week 1 win over Geelong. 

“She’s undergone some scans on her shoulder. We’ll consult the specialist before making the call on her availability,” Women’s Football Head of High Performance Sam Batterton said.

Liv Purcell returns to the club this week after making her way home from Adelaide, following the facial injury she sustained in the club’s second pre-season hitout.  

“Liv will be back in the club this week, she’s returned and just currently resting up at home at the moment,” Batterton said. 

“She’ll then return to the club at the back end of the week, then we can map out what a return to play will look like. 

“But it’ll be great to have her back in the club.” 

Lily Johnson made her first unofficial start in red and blue, taking the field in Melbourne’s scrimmage match.    

“She (Johnson) got through the scrimmage unscathed so will be available at AFLW level this week,” Batterton said.   

Saraid Taylor is making slow and steady progress with her calf issue, with current estimates placing her around three weeks away from return. 

Jemma Rigoni is back on an upward trajectory after a minor setback a few weeks ago.  

Rigoni has returned to running and changing direction and will look to return to training in the next few weeks.