MELBOURNE ruckmen Max Gawn (hamstring) and Jake Spencer (shoulder) are progressing strongly after their recent injury setbacks.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said the duo was still several weeks away, but working hard in rehab.
“Gawny is two weeks into his running program and going well,” Misson told Melbourne TV.
“He’s starting some faster run throughs this week and he’s still only four weeks’ post op, so he’s four to six weeks away.
“Jake is going well. He’s got very good range in that shoulder and good strength, but he’s probably four to five [weeks].”
Misson said rookie Corey Maynard (concussion) was set to miss a week after copping a head high hit playing for Casey last weekend.
“Corey had a really significant head knock. He spent the night in hospital and he’s already been ruled out this week and we’ll just have to see how he progresses for next week,” he said.
“It was a significant concussion.”
Utility James Harmes also received a cut to the head, playing for Casey, but is set to be available this weekend.
“He got an eye laceration and we expect he won’t do much early in the week, but we expect him to train and play,” Misson said.
Forward Tim Smith is three weeks away from returning after suffering injured ribs/punctured lung.
“We expect him to be available the weekend we go to Alice, but that’s a VFL bye weekend, so he’s probably going to be the week after that,” Misson said.
High-flyer Joel Smith (shoulder) and tough-nut Aaron vandenBerg (heel) are sidelined for another six weeks each.
“Joel’s going really well with that shoulder. He’s started running outside and he’s got great range and he’s doing some good strength work,” Misson said.
“Aaron similarly is doing some good work, running outside, but he’s probably six weeks away.”
First-year Demon Pat McKenna (hamstring) is likely to return around the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Defender Colin Garland, who is out for the season with a knee injury, has started to do some leg weights and off legs conditioning, and is set to start running in a couple of weeks.
Melbourne injury list: round eight
Colin Garland (knee) – season
Max Gawn (hamstring) – 6-8 weeks
James Harmes (lacerated eye) – available
Corey Maynard (concussion) – 1 week
Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 4 weeks
Joel Smith (shoulder) – 6 weeks
Tim Smith (ribs/punctured lung) – 3 weeks
Jake Spencer (shoulder) – 4-5 weeks
Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – 6 weeks
