MELBOURNE'S great forward hope Jesse Hogan has suffered a knee injury in the opening minutes of the Casey-Bendigo VFL clash on Saturday.
Playing for Melbourne's VFL affiliate Casey, Hogan hyperextended his knee about five minutes into the game.

A Melbourne spokesman told AFL.com.au the extent of Hogan's injury would not be clear until he had scans on Saturday afternoon.

Late on Saturday, a club spokesman added the Demons were optimistic Hogan had avoided major damage.

Hogan was selected by Melbourne with the second pick in last year's Greater Western Sydney mini-draft for 17-year-olds.

The key forward will not officially come onto Melbourne's list until next season, but his outstanding form for Casey has helped buoy Demons fans that better times are not too far away after years of struggle.

Before Saturday's game, Hogan sat third on the VFL's 2013 goalkicking list with 39 goals.