YOUNGSTERS Angus Brayshaw and Christian Salem will be available for selection this round, after they were declared fit to play after missing last weekend with concussion.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said the duo had passed their tests and were ready to go.
“Both of those guys are right to go this week. They’ve trained really strongly on the weekend, and also earlier this week, so they’re fine,” he told Melbourne TV.
But dasher Heritier Lumumba will miss this round and be assessed again next week.
“He’s just got some ongoing symptoms, so he’ll sit out again this week and we’ll just keep monitoring him closely,” Misson said.
“The docs are in close consultation with specialists and we’re hoping it’s not going to be for too long, but we’re not taking any chances whatsoever.
“He’s got ongoing symptoms, so we’ll just keep monitoring him pretty closely.”
The versatile Aaron vandenBerg, who has missed the past four matches with an ankle injury, is now just one week away from returning.
“He did his first session with the group [on Wednesday],” Misson said.
“His rehab has been outstanding and he’s done a lot of work.
“His ankle has felt really good and we’re looking to get him out to play for Casey against Box Hill next week hopefully.”
Utility Matt Jones, who has been sidelined for the past three matches, will miss another two to three weeks with a back injury.
“He’s just pulled up sore after the Collingwood game [in round four] with his back,” Misson said.
“We tried to get him going, but there is just a bit of ongoing soreness there. We think it’s two to three weeks, and he’s been doing some pretty good running, but we’re at a stage now where we need to think about when we introduce contact.
“That will hopefully be next week, but it’s watch this space with Matty Jones.”
Small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris, who has had a frustrating run with two hamstring injuries this year, is now three weeks away.
“Jay is really in a similar situation to Vanders,” Misson said.
“He trained with the group [on Wednesday], but because it’s his second hamstring, we’re just conscious of giving him a little bit more training before he plays.
“Unfortunately, he won’t get the Box Hill game in before the VFL bye, but he should be right to go for the game after the VFL bye, which I think is AFL round 11.”
Ruckman Mitch King has started his rehab after his season ended in the first VFL match of the year.
“As we’ve said to him, it’s a great opportunity for him to really build an AFL body over the next eight to 12 months,” Misson said.
“He’s really bought into that and he’s started working in the gym as of this week. We’re looking forward to hopefully building a player that can play consistent AFL over the next few years, once he recovers from his ACL.”
Melbourne injury list: round eight
Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – available
Matt Jones (back) – 2-3 weeks
Jay Kennedy-Harris (hamstring) – 3 weeks
Mitch King (knee) – season
Heritier Lumumba (concussion) – TBC
Christian Salem (concussion) – available
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) – 1 week
