CO-CAPTAIN Jack Viney is hoping to miss just two matches and make his return against Port Adelaide at the MCG in round 18.
Although Viney has been earmarked for a round 19 or 20 return, he could miss just last round's clash against Carlton and this Saturday night's clash against the Adelaide Crows at TIO Stadium, after injuring his plantar fascia against the Sydney Swans at the MCG in round 15.
“I’m not too sure [when I’ll return, but], hopefully in the next couple of weeks,” he told Melbourne TV.
“I’m going to try and get up for the Port Adelaide game, but at this stage we’re just taking it day by day. We’re just seeing how my pain is and what I’m able to do and go from there.
“It’s hard because I want to try and get back as quickly as I can, but I can’t look past what I’ve got to do on the day unfortunately.”
The reigning best and fairest winner said he was “tracking well” after his operation.
“The surgery was a success and I’m just into rehab at the moment, to try and get off the crutches. Hopefully, within the next couple of days, I’ll be off those, then I’ll walk around for a couple of days and then I’ll get into some running and I’ll be back before you know it,” he said.
“I can’t really weight-bear through it and walk properly. So, my main goal is to do lots of little exercises to get me up to walking, then when I start walking I can get into some weight bearing stuff.”
Viney conceded the injury had been troubling him for a while.
“It was probably sore for a year or so,” he said.
“I’ve just been managing it and then it just gave way during the Sydney game, and then I partially tore it, which is the worse of the two things that could happen – where you can fully tear it as well.
“I just went into surgery to get it fully done and onto recovery.”
Viney said it was “pretty tough” watching on as a supporter during Melbourne’s thrilling eight-point win over Carlton at the MCG last Sunday.
“I was in the coach’s box and probably found myself barracking in the last quarter a bit,” he said.
“It’s been good watching on – you get to see the game from a different point-of-view up there and you just continue your learning as a player and as a leader. It was a different perspective and I enjoyed that.
“I won’t be heading up to the NT [this weekend]. My quality of rehab will be better down here, so I won’t make the trip unfortunately.
“To see the boys get the win on the weekend was terrific. They’re doing it pretty tough at the moment, with not too many boys out there, but they’re finding a way and getting the job done, which is exceptional.”
