CAPTAIN Nathan Jones conceded he “panicked” when he saw second-year midfielder Angus Brayshaw go down with a knee injury in the first few seconds of Melbourne’s 19-point win over Port Adelaide at Elizabeth on Saturday.

Brayshaw injured his medial ligament in the club’s NAB Challenge opener, but it is yet to be determined how much time he will miss.

Speaking at Melbourne’s family day at Luna Park on Sunday morning, where early estimates suggested a crowd of at least 5,000 attended, Jones said he watched the match back in Melbourne and couldn’t believe what he saw.

“I won’t lie [about that],” he said.

“He’s like a little brother to me, so it probably means even more to me.

“I spoke to him on the phone last night and everyone thinks the worst, but he’ll have an assessment tomorrow (Monday). From early reports, it’s only a slight medial strain. It shouldn’t be too significant with the amount of footy he’ll miss.

“Hopefully he can speed up that recovery with how well he looks after it, which I’m sure he will, as he’s a real professional. Hopefully we’ll see him back sooner than later.”

Jones, who did not play due to a knock on his knee, said “there was no doubt” that Melbourne showed some genuine promise against the Power.

“The boys really implemented some of the things that we practiced over the pre-season, which was a promising sign,” he said.

“I thought our defensive stuff, in particular, was a real highlight and our work around the contest.

“But in the end, we keep it in perspective and it was a NAB Challenge game and we’ve still got a long way to go. I think the signs were really positive.”

Jones said it was great to see some of the “unsung” names and players who have been around for a couple of years step up.

“Aaron vandenBerg, Maxy Gawn and Jack Viney – those guys in particular – were really good,” he said.

“Dean Kent has had a really strong pre-season as well and even some of the young boys, and boys we’ve brought in from other clubs, showed some glimpses, so I was really excited about what particular individuals could put out.”

Jones said Viney, who was acting captain in the win, rose to the occasion.

“He’s been terrific for us. He’s got real balance to his game. He understands what makes him a good player and he plays within those limitations. He’s got tenacity and intensity that he plays above a lot of those players, which makes him stand out,” he said.

“He’s been a terrific leader for us and he’s really assumed some responsibilities for us in that area.

“He’s really growing in stature as a player and he’s a player that everyone loves playing with. I think he’s got a long way to go, in terms of becoming an even better player, with consistency. He’s only going to get better for us.”

The triple best and fairest winner said he would “definitely” play against the Western Bulldogs at Craigieburn next Sunday.

“I was probably right to play yesterday (Saturday), but I was probably a bit more conservative with a few more niggles,” Jones said.

“Bernie [Vince] and I should be fit for next week and then a couple of weeks after that, so we should see Heritier [Lumumba] and potentially Christian Petracca soon, so we’re potentially in a good place at the moment.”

But Jones said he didn’t think Petracca (toe) would play round one – at this stage.

“It’d be pretty tight from my perspective,” he said.

“He hasn’t played a game of footy in over 12 months … so he’s got another three weeks before he’s in contention to play in a practice match.

“I think he’d probably be available early in the season, depending on his form, but round one might be a stretch.

Lumumba integrated back into the main skills sessions last week and Jones expected the dashing half-back/winger to train for another two weeks, before playing.

“We trained all together – the guys who were left back [in Melbourne] – and he (Lumumba) thinks another week or two,” Jones said.

“Hopefully, he’ll play two games – the last NAB Challenge and maybe one of the VFL practice matches and put his hand up for round one.

“If that all goes to plan, then hopefully that’s the case with him.”

Meanwhile, Jones said talk surrounding key forward Jesse Hogan’s playing future post 2017 was “a bit of a circus”.

“He’s two years out from even being out of contract, so I think for him, it’s just about getting out there and playing some good footy,” he said.

“We haven’t seen the amount of scrutiny he’s copped with contracts with any other player in the competition, so it’s probably uncharted ground really.

“For him, it’s best for his frame of mind to wipe it away and just concentrate on footy … he’s a really integral part [of our future]. I’m hoping it will die down and he’ll let the footy do the talking.”

Jones said contracts across the competition could be put on hold as the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is negotiated.

“I think that’s definitely one of the draw cards, from the players’ point of view and seeing that unfold,” he said.

“Depending on what way that goes, it’s probably going to be advantageous to the player.

“In the end, you take that risk, depending on how the year will go, so it’s probably a two-fold thing and it’s potentially a double-edged sword. In particular this season, you’ll probably see that more often than not.”