SPEEDY forward Jeff Garlett will be right for Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena, despite leaving training early at Gosch’s Paddock on Wednesday.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson confirmed that Garlett had “a slight roll” of his ankle, but wouldn’t miss this round’s clash in Hobart.
“It’s Wednesday and we play on Sunday and we just want to take every precaution,” he told Melbourne TV.
“Despite reports on AFL.com.au, he will absolutely, definitely play on Sunday and will most probably train on Friday with the group.
“It’s really nothing serious and he’s in no doubt whatsoever.”
Meanwhile, Misson said Jack Trengove and Christian Petracca, who both returned from long-term injuries in a VFL practice match last weekend, pulled up “really well”.
“They were on restricted game time, but they’ll play a little bit more this week, but both were really excited to be back out there,” he said.
“They trained today (Wednesday) with the group and they’ll do a light session on Friday morning and play again on Saturday night in the VFL.”
Misson said utility Ben Newton was edging close to a return after an ankle injury interrupted his pre-season.
“Ben’s been out of rehab for a couple of weeks. He needs one of two more weeks of training before he plays, but he’s very close,” he said.
Big men Chris Dawes (calf) and Jake Spencer (foot) still remain a few weeks away, according to Misson.
“Dawesy’s in a bit of a similar situation to Ben Newton in that he probably needs two to three weeks of training before he plays,” he said.
“He did his first full session today and he got through really well. He just needs a little bit of training miles in his legs before he plays.
“Jake, with that plantar fascia, is doing more and more every day with his running, so he’s probably three or four weeks away.”
Young defender Oscar McDonald is available for selection after overcoming an ankle injury sustained in round one.
“Oscar was touch and go for last weekend,” Misson said.
“We just felt that [being] a young player with a long year [ahead] that we’d give him the weekend to really get it right.
“He trained fully today and did some extra [training], so he’s in no doubt for the weekend.”
Injury list: round three
Chris Dawes (calf) – 2-3 weeks
Oscar McDonald (ankle) – available
Jake Spencer (foot) – 3-4 weeks
