RUCKMAN/forward Max Gawn is likely to return for Melbourne’s round two clash against the West Coast Eagles at the MCG on Sunday.
Gawn, who had an interrupted pre-season, was among Casey’s best on the weekend and in its past two practice matches.
Coach Paul Roos said Gawn was set to play in round two, but youngster Jack Viney was still touch and go, after an interrupted preparation.
“I think so,” Roos said, when asked if Gawn will play, at AAMI Park on Monday.
“He’s got through two games now and he played particularly well the week before and by all accounts, he played well on the weekend, so he’ll definitely come into contention.
“He’s (Viney) still a bit underdone, but he played on the weekend. We want him to have a good season and we think he’s going to be important for us, but most importantly, we’ll make sure we set him up for a good year, so he’s fit when he comes in.”
Roos said big men Tom McDonald (corked thigh) and Jack Fitzpatrick (concussion) would have to be monitored for Sunday’s clash against West Coast Eagles at the MCG, after they suffered injuries in Melbourne’s 17-point loss to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium last Saturday night.
“They both pulled up OK, but it’s early in the week and we’ve got a Sunday game, rather than Saturday,” he said.
“[Fitzpatrick’s] concussion is different to the knock, so there is no risk with Fitzy with the concussion. With Tommy Mac, it’s about getting rid of that bleeding and getting that leg moving, so they’re both very, very different [injuries].
“The early signs are reasonably positive.”
Roos said it was a great effort by McDonald to play injured. He added that it was hard enough to play on Nick Riewoldt “with two good legs, without one good leg”.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Roos said he was eager to see his side up against an in form West Coast, which smashed the Western Bulldogs by 65 points at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.
“They (West Coast) had a lot of injuries last year and a lot of people tipped them last year to win the premiership,” he said.
“Every game’s exciting for us. Every game [we’re] learning, whether it’s playing the Eagles or the Saints – every game’s going to be tough, but it gives us an opportunity to keep getting better and that’s what this week is all about.
“They’re a really good side and where they’re at is a lot different to where we’re at and every game is an opportunity for us to just keep getting better.
“When we don’t do things well, we’ll show the players what we want to do. [We’re] on a path and the players understand what that path is.”
Meanwhile, Roos said he had been in touch with key forward Mitch Clark, who has taken personal leave from the club.
“My communication with Mitch is through text and just really a support base, and just to say ‘that I’m here for you, give me a call when you can’,” he said.
“We’re here and we’re supporting and certainly doctors are monitoring it a bit more closely. But his latest text was ‘thanks very much, the club’s been terrific’, so that’s been the extent of it at the moment.
