MIDFIELDER Dom Tyson and forward Jack Watts are chances to return for Melbourne’s clash against the Adelaide Crows in Darwin at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said Tyson (knee) was more likely than Watts (hamstring), but both needed to prove their fitness this week.
“Both have got reasonably big sessions this week to tick off,” he told Melbourne TV.
“Dom’s progressively getting better every session and Wattsy’s the same, but he’s probably more unlikely this week.
“He’s more likely to come back next week. They both have a couple of boxes to tick and they’re a chance, but we’ll see.”
Misson said co-captains Jack Viney (plantar fascia) and Nathan Jones (quadriceps) were still a few weeks away.
“Jack’s been getting better every day. He’s starting to weight-bear fully through that foot. It’ll be a few days before we start to think about loading it with a running session,” he said.
“Nathan’s going really well in rehab, ticking off all of his sessions. He hasn’t started kicking on that quad yet, but we expect the timelines that we set out originally to be the ones that we’ll stick to.”
Classy midfielders Christian Salem (hamstring) and Angus Brayshaw (concussion) are also edging closer to a return.
“Christian’s going well, we’re looking at two to three weeks with him. He’s doing some good stuff in rehab,” Misson said.
“Gus is essentially training with the main group [and having] full contact. We’re hoping that he’s a chance for the VFL game after their bye this weekend.
“It really comes down to Gus and how he’s feeling about his footy, but all things are pointing to a positive outcome.”
Youngsters Pat McKenna (hamstring) and Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) are still looking around a month.
“Both are going pretty well in rehab, but they still have a bit of time and still a bit to tick off,” Misson said.
Long-term injured trio Aaron vandenBerg (heel), Col Garland (knee) and Tim Smith (navicular bone) are all chipping away in the rehab group.
“Col’s been running – he’s doing some timed run-throughs on Tuesday,” Misson said.
“Vanders is loading through that foot – he’s on a walking program … getting a bit of strength and endurance back through his calf.
“And ‘Bull’ Smith is still in a boot and off that foot, just trying to let it heal.”
Melbourne injury list: round 17
Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – 2-3 weeks
Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – 3-4 weeks
Colin Garland (knee) – season
Nathan Jones (quadriceps) – 3-4 weeks
Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 4-6 weeks
Christian Salem (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season
Dom Tyson (knee) – test
Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season
Jack Viney (plantar fascia) – 2-3 weeks
Jack Watts (hamstring) – test
