FIRST-year Demon Bayley Fritsch will be right to play against North Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday, after suffering a knock last round.
Fritsch hurt his sternum during Melbourne’s win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last Saturday night.
Co-captain Jack Viney and key forward Tom McDonald, who both have foot injuries, will be sidelined for another six weeks.
Hard-nut Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) and utility Pat McKenna (hamstring) remain sidelined indefinitely.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said the team pulled up pretty well after the win over the Lions and the list was relatively healthy.
“It’s always good to get a win on the road. It was reasonably tough conditions up there. It was very humid and quite slippery, but the boys have pulled up well,” he told Melbourne Media.
“We’re really happy to be back at the ‘G for what’s going to be a big game against a team that’s given us some problems in the past.
“We’re confident with the personnel that we’re going to put out there that we’ll give some really good effort and hope to get a win.”
Misson’s injury assessments
Bayley Fritsch (sternum) – available
“Bayley just copped a knock to the sternum, which took him a while to get his breath back, but he came back on the ground and played out the game. He fully trained today, so he’ll be right.”
Tom McDonald (foot) – 6 weeks
“Tom is working well in the gym. He started running outside week and has another running session this week. Tom has pulled up well and is making progress with his rehab. We’ll see how he goes next week.”
Pat McKenna (hamstring) – indefinite
“Patty’s continuing to do some really good stuff in rehab, running three times a week and is doing good work in the gym, so we’re happy with him.”
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) – indefinite
“Aaron is doing some good work in the gym. Vanders has put together nearly four weeks of running now, so we’re pretty happy with where he’s at.”
Jack Viney (foot) – 6 weeks
“Jack is similar to Tom and has been working well in the gym. He started running this week and importantly he’s pulled up well. Jack has made progress with his rehab and we’ll see how he goes next week.
Melbourne injury list: round three
Bayley Fritsch (sternum) – available
Tom McDonald (foot) – 6 weeks
Pat McKenna (hamstring) – indefinite
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) – indefinite
Jack Viney (foot) – 6 weeks
