COACH Mark Neeld has praised the efforts of elite performance manager Dave Misson and his team for playing a key role in Melbourne having just two players on its injury list, heading into this round’s clash against Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
Although Neeld said the two players on Melbourne’s injury list – Mitch Clark (foot) and Chris Dawes (hamstring) – are “significant” for the team’s fortunes, he added that having so few injuries was critical after a month into the season.
“Often it’s not how many injuries, but who they’re to - the two players on the injury list at the moment are Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes, and we know that Neville Jetta is unavailable through suspension,” he told the Coach’s Office on Dee TV.
“We’re expecting Chris to complete this week’s full training, and then he may well play in the VFL on the weekend. We’d be looking at that.
“Mitch will be tested and at this stage, he’s more unlikely than likely to play this weekend, but we’re looking forward to having them up and running together. We’re hoping in two to three weeks, they’ll both be in the AFL side.”
Despite an element of luck needed with injuries, Neeld said Misson, who was instrumental in overseeing the Sydney Swans’ 2005 premiership campaign, had been pivotal in reducing the number of players on the sidelines.
Given Melbourne had 10 players missing from its list when it played St Kilda and Gold Coast Suns during the pre-season, it has bounced back well.
Neeld said the number of players on the injury list had decreased this week.
“It is a little bit misleading at the moment, because we’ve got five guys that are going to come back all in one hit this week and they’ll all come back in the VFL game,” he said.
“Lynden Dunn and maybe Tom Gillies will be considered for senior selection.”
Reflecting on Melbourne’s opening win of the season last Sunday, Neeld said his team believed it could overcome Greater Western Sydney at the MCG, despite being 19 points down at three quarter time.
“We always thought we were in striking distance of the Giants, and if we continued to do the things that we had been working on, then it would look after itself,” he said.
“We felt that our experienced players on the day led the rest of their teammates particularly well.”
Although Melbourne produced its greatest ever quarter in the final term, Neeld said having the edge over GWS in experience played a big part in gaining the four points.
“The No.1 stat that people go through, in terms of wins and losses in any given day, is the experience of a side,” he said.
“Once that gets out to more than 20 games on average per player, your chance of victory is five per cent. It’s that important.
“Still, it’s the manner in which we played, which is really, really important. The fact that we were able to come from behind and then not just limp over the line … was particularly pleasing.”
In terms of how much confidence was gained from the win, Neeld said only time would tell.
“There was no need to underestimate the pressure that the player group was under,” he said.
“We’ll still be on the rollercoaster because of our youth, but there was a fair bit of character shown by the players, given the first three weeks.
“We saw some things in the first half against the Eagles and then we saw some things against the Giants, so it was pleasing.”
Aside from GWS, Melbourne has now played the top two undefeated teams on the ladder – Essendon (first) and Port Adelaide (second) – plus one of the flag favourites this year, the West Coast Eagles.
But Neeld said it was still too early to tell if they were going to be among the top few teams in 2013.
“When they played against us, they played particularly well and we were unable to handle [them], particularly the manner in which they moved the football,” he said.
“In terms of where they sit … we’re four games in and we need to wait a little bit longer.
“Port and Essendon have started the year in good style and we know that the Eagles have a lot of their first choice runners at the moment, so that’s what can happen to you.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s match, Neeld said the Demons were optimistic about backing up with another strong performance.
“We’ve got a degree of confidence that we can get on a flight up to Brisbane and put out another competitive effort. We’re looking forward to running around again,” he said.