MIDFIELDER/forward Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) will be assessed further next week, after he was ruled out of Sunday’s clash against Collingwood at the MCG.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said vandenBerg will be monitored closely over the next few days, after having an ankle problem during the pre-season.
“He had an ankle issue in the pre-season, which he rehabbed really well,” he told Melbourne TV.
“That was stirred up a bit in the second NAB Challenge game against the Bulldogs.
“Again, he rehabbed that well and he was able to play round one, two and three, but he just stirred it up a bit last week, so we’re going to give him a week off and then just assess it next week and see how it is.”
Misson also gave an update on Jack Trengove (concussion), Jay Kennedy-Harris (hamstring) and Mitch King (knee), who all suffered injuries in Casey’s 144-point win over Frankston in the opening round of the VFL last weekend.
“Unfortunately for Mitch, that’s his season over and he’s having surgery next Tuesday,” Misson said.
“Trenners ran and trained yesterday (Wednesday), so he’ll be available to play.
“Jay [suffered] a pretty decent hamstring, with a little bit of tendon involvement, so he’ll be a little bit longer than the normal hamstring rehab, so he’ll probably be about six to eight weeks.”
But Misson said utility Ben Newton (ankle) and big man Max King (knee) were set to return in the VFL.
“Benny’s come off a really extensive rehab. He had surgery on that foot prior to Christmas and he’s done everything right, so he’s looking forward to getting out there this week,” he said.
“Max just had a knock on his knee a couple of weeks ago and missed last week with that knee, but he’ll be back playing VFL this week.”
Big men Chris Dawes (calf) and Jake Spencer (foot) are getting closer to a return.
“Dawesy’s training really well and he’s due to do another decent session tomorrow (Friday) and he’s on track to play next week,” Misson said.
“Jake, similarly, is rehabbing very well and doing some good running sessions.
“He’s due to do a little bit of ruckwork tomorrow and then get back into team training next week, so he’s probably two to three weeks away.”
Goalsneak Jeff Garlett is also back in the squad, but Misson said he still had to tick some boxes.
“He’ll have to do a bit of training tomorrow (Friday) to prove his fitness, but we’re pretty confident, but it really depends on the session tomorrow,” he said.
“If he gets through that and pulls up well on Saturday, then he’ll play. But it’s really what he can do out on the track tomorrow.”
Melbourne injury list: round four
Chris Dawes (calf) – 1 week
Jeff Garlett (ankle) – test
Jay Kennedy-Harris (hamstring) – 6-8
Max King (knee) – available
Mitch King (knee) – season
Ben Newton (ankle) – available
Jake Spencer (foot) – 2-3 weeks
Jack Trengove (concussion) – available
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) – TBC
