KEY forward Tom McDonald will be tested in the lead-up to Sunday’s clash against St Kilda at the MCG, after suffering a heavy knock to his chest during last Friday night’s loss to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said McDonald was 50/50 for round 15, but fellow tall Tim Smith (eye) was set to be available.
Small forward Dean Kent is also set to play his first game since injuring his hamstring against Richmond in round five.
Tough-nut Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) and utility Pat McKenna (hamstring) are now just one week away from resuming for Casey after missing the entire season so far.
Tall defender Jake Lever (knee) and ball-winner Corey Maynard (hip) are both out for the rest of the season.
Misson’s injury assessments
Dean Kent (hamstring) – available
“Dean’s going well and he had another big session on the weekend. He’s trained well with the group this week, so he should be available to play this week.”
Jake Lever (knee) – season
“Jake had the operation a few weeks ago and he’s starting to come back into the club, and is starting to get into some upper body weights and rehab exercise on that knee, so we’ll start seeing more and more of Jake.”
Corey Maynard (hip) – season
“He’s having his second operation done on his hip. He had one done last week and he’s having his second one done tomorrow, so that’s his season over. The aim was always to get him up and going for day one of pre-season.”
Tom McDonald (chest) – test
“Tom just copped a knock to the sternum. He’s pulled up pretty well and we’re just continuing to monitor that through the week. We’re lucky that we’ve got a long week and we’re going from a Friday into a Sunday game, so we’ll just see how he is later in the week.”
Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 1 week
“Patty is essentially out of rehab and training with the main group and is doing big sessions on the weekend. Next week, we’re hoping to roll him out for Casey.”
Tim Smith (eye) – available
“Tim copped a pretty nasty laceration on his eye. He was a little bit dazed through the game and he finished on the bench. He’s pulled up pretty well and he’ll be getting stitches out later in the week. He should be available to play.”
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) – 1 week
“Aaron has been training really well now for two or three weeks and we’re hoping that he’ll have a game for Casey next week.”
Melbourne injury list: round 15
Dean Kent (hamstring) – available
Jake Lever (knee) – season
Corey Maynard (hip) – season
Tom McDonald (chest) – test
Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 1 week
Tim Smith (eye) – available
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) – 1 week
