CO-CAPTAIN Jack Trengove and key forward Mitch Clark remain in the mix for Melbourne’s season opener against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday, March 31.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson indicated that the pair were doing their utmost to play against the Power.
“They had another very good week of training,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“A lot’s been spoken about Mitch and Trenners, but they’ve still got a couple of boxes to tick, so they’ll just progress with their training this week.
“Essentially, they’re out of rehab and in full training, so we just want them to get a bit more training under their belt and then we’ll make a decision down the track, with regards to games for them.”
Key forward Chris Dawes (hamstring) is also being prepared for round one.
“In the session we did last Monday, he got a bit tight in kicking with his hammy,” Misson said.
“He’s really valuable and the coach is very keen to be available in round one, so we’re playing a pretty conservative line with Dawesy.
“He’s running already - we want to go through our rehab processes and make sure we set him up for a good first part of the season.”
Speedster Sam Blease and defender Tom McDonald will miss this Saturday’s practice match against Gold Coast Suns due to ankle injuries, as they overcome ankle injuries.
“(Blease) and Tom McDonald have started running. They just need to progress through rehab and they’ll probably do straight line running this week and won’t play this week,” he said.
“There is that VFL practice game next week, where they may be a chance. But again, with ankles, we’re going to make another assessment to see what next week looks like for them.”
The versatile Rohan Bail (concussion) is also making progress.
“He’s going really well. He’s had another week, where he hasn’t had any symptoms at all. He’s almost back in full training and he just needs to tick a couple of more boxes, in regard to seeing a couple of specialists,” Misson said.
“Once he gets the green light, he needs a couple of full weeks of training and then we’ll allow him to be available to play.”
But Misson said midfielder Jordie McKenzie and father/son selection Jack Viney were set to resume this weekend
“Jordie had gastro the night before and unfortunately it came on Friday night,” he said.
“Being the selfless guy he is, he put his hand up and we felt that with the heat, we didn’t want to overcook him on the Saturday. But he’ll definitely play this week.
“He’s (Viney) tracking pretty well, so we expect him to play, but we’ll just see how he goes at training tomorrow.”
Misson said the club would not rush Gawn back.
