FORWARD Tim Smith will miss the next four to five weeks after suffering a fractured rib and punctured lung in Melbourne’s round five loss to Richmond at the MCG on ANZAC Day Eve.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson confirmed on Tuesday that Smith, who was discharged from hospital last Friday, wouldn’t play until June.
“Tim was in [at the club] on Monday. He’s still a little bit sore, but he’ll start doing a bit of activity this week,” he told Melbourne TV.
“He’ll jump on the bike and start to get in the pool, and we expect him to start running next week.
“We’re hoping that he can play in a month or so.”
Midfielder Angus Brayshaw, who did not play last weekend due to a head knock, is set to return via the VFL.
“Gus did a good session on the weekend with our rehab crew – Daniel Cross and Alex Sakadjian – so he pulled up really well from that,” Misson said.
“He’ll essentially do the main group this week. We expect him to play this Sunday.”
Rookie Declan Keilty also copped a head knock playing for Casey last round, and will face a test this weekend.
“It wasn’t a super serious one and he looked pretty good yesterday,” Misson said.
“The docs had a good look at him on Monday and he’ll do a bit of training on Thursday and hopefully look to play on Sunday in the VFL.”
Misson said ruckman Max Gawn, who has been sidelined since round three with a hamstring injury, had his first run at training last Saturday. He remains out for eight to 10 weeks.
“He had his first run [at training] on Saturday. The running that he does this week is probably going to be more for activation of that hamstring than anything else,” Misson said.
“Probably from the middle of next week, he’ll start running for fitness and look to improve his condition, and really start to drive towards returning to play.”
Youngster Joel Smith (shoulder) is a similar time frame to Gawn, according to Misson.
“He’s going really well. He had a run on Saturday, on the AlterG treadmill, so he’s someone who will probably start to run outside next week,” he said.
“His wound’s very good and he’s got good range [of movement], and he’s starting to do a fair bit of strength work, so he’s probably a bit ahead of schedule.”
Big man Jake Spencer had shoulder surgery last week and is another five to six weeks away from resuming.
“Spence had surgery last Thursday and he goes and sees the surgeon tomorrow (Wednesday) and hopefully comes out of the sling towards the end of the week,” Misson said.
“He’ll start to get his range back a little bit and then do a bit more in the gym.”
Misson said recruit Pat McKenna (hamstring) was four to six weeks away from returning.
“He’s running at the moment – not with any speed, but we hope to increase his speed over the next couple of weeks, and then he needs to do a bit of footy stuff before he plays again.”
Utility Aaron vandenBerg (heel) remains out for another seven to eight weeks.
“Aaron’s done a good week on AlterG treadmill last week. We’re looking to run him outside this week and he’s just working through that rehab program,” he said.
“He’s going to be another six, seven or eight weeks.”
Defender Colin Garland, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, is chipping away in rehab.
“Col’s ticking boxes. He’s doing some good work in the gym and he’s started a fair bit of work on the bike,” he said.
“He had a good report from the surgeon last week, so things are pretty positive for Col.”
Melbourne injury list: round seven
Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – available
Colin Garland (knee) – season
Max Gawn (hamstring) – 8-10 weeks
Declan Keilty (concussion) – test
Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 4-6 weeks
Joel Smith (shoulder) – 8-10 weeks
Tim Smith (ribs) – 4-5 weeks
Jake Spencer (shoulder) – 5-6 weeks
Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – 7-8 weeks
