ELITE performance manager Dave Misson says Jake Melksham and Michael Hibberd will build up their pre-season program after 12 months out of the game.
Speaking to Melbourne TV, Misson said the duo had performed strongly so far in pre-season training but were not going to be rushed.
“We had Jake for a period of time last year and Michael’s new this year. It’s a bit of a different situation in that they haven’t been in a football program for 12 months,” he said.
“We’re taking a pretty cautious approach with them and making sure we build their base. We don’t want to throw them to the wolves and into the football program straight away – without getting a real handle on where they’re at.
“They need a little bit more base work, but I think they’re going to be fine and we’re looking for them to be full-on into the program probably post-Christmas. Hopefully they’ll join in with the group before then.”
Misson said recruit Pat McKenna, from GWS Giants, had slotted in well.
“He looks like a really good athlete and is a great young kid,” he said.
“He’s very diligent, so he’s fitted in really well.”
Overall, Misson was pleased with the club’s one to four year players who have returned from their break.
“They’ve come back in pretty good nick. We’ve done a couple of fitness tests and we’re pretty happy with where most of the group’s at,” he said.
“I think they’re pretty excited to be back in the footy program with Simon heading it up and a few new faces around, so it’s been a good couple of weeks.
“It’s been a good opportunity to get a real good handle on the young guys last week and this week.
“A lot of the older guys have been floating in off their own volition and joining in here and there, but it’s always good to get the whole group back together again – to get into the program full-on.”
Misson said the addition of four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis’ presence would be a massive addition from next week.
Talls Tom McDonald and Cameron Pedersen had shoulder surgery at the end of last season, while 2016 best and fairest winner Jack Viney (hip) and tough-nut Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) also had operations.
Misson said the four players were “up and running”.
“A lot of them are ahead of where we thought they’d be, but we’re not going to push them too much to get back into the program – there is plenty of time for that,” he said.
“We’re going to use this pre-Christmas period to get a lot of base work into them and make sure when they do join in the footy program they’re there for good.”
The whole squad will complete a three-km time-trial next week and then another after Christmas.
