DEFENDER James Frawley and forward Chris Dawes are in the mix to return for this Sunday’s clash against Fremantle at the MCG.
The duo has missed the past two matches – Frawley with a hamstring problem and Dawes with a calf injury – but elite performance manager Dave Misson was hopeful the big men could return for round 21.
“He’s (Frawley) going really well in rehab. He ran very quickly yesterday, so he’s a chance for this week and we’re pretty confident he’s going to rehab well,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“He’s (Dawes) a chance this week and he’s going OK in rehab, so we’ll just monitor him towards the end of the week.”
Another key tall, Mitch Clark, who is out for the rest of the season, has also made some progress in his rehab, according to Misson.
“Mitch probably had his best session for a few months yesterday (Monday),” he said.
“He started getting a bit of rhythm back with his running, so his foot’s going well.
“We’re just happy to have him back in here.”
Ruckman Mark Jamar, who has missed the past eight matches with a toe injury, is not without a chance of resuming this weekend.
“He’s got bone stress in one of his toes, so he’s put some really good rehab sessions together in the last week and a half,” Misson said.
“He’ll be pushing this week or next week pretty hard to play.”
But midfielder Michael Evans is now set to miss the rest of the season.
“He had some bone stress in one of his toes, which really was caused because he had a plantar fascia problem, so he’s putting a bit more load through that fourth toe,” Misson said.
“Now the fourth toe has healed, but the plantar fascia has really hung around, so we’re going to get some surgical advice on that this week.
“He may go in and get the plantar fascia repaired, just to set him up for a good pre-season.”
Misson said talls Tom Gillies (calf) and Cam Pedersen (ill) were also likely to return.
“He (Gillies) was close and he trained on Saturday morning, but wasn’t super confident in it at the end of training. We decided to go conservative with him, but he should be right this week,” he said.
“He (Pedersen) got pretty crook mid-week with some gastro and took a while to settle.”
“He’s back on deck and is pretty healthy again, so he should play this week.”
But midfielder Tom Couch is still battling a hamstring injury.
“He’s got some hamstring tendon issues, which are a little bit slow at the moment,” Misson said.
“We’re just working through his rehab. He’s still running and going OK, but we’re a bit reluctant at the moment to push him to that top speed yet.”
Youngster Jesse Hogan, who has had a fine first-up season in the VFL, before he is elevated to Melbourne’s primary list for 2014, will play this weekend.
“He spent the week in Perth and rested up. He’s done a little bit of work over there, but it’s just given him a chance to recoup,” Misson said.
“He’s back on deck today (Tuesday) and he’ll play VFL this week.”
And rookie Nathan Stark is a chance to resume after battling several injuries this season.
“He was originally out with an ankle, which he did in his last game, so he’s had some tendonitis problems,” Misson said.
“It’s probably the knee that’s been holding him back up until now – more than the foot or the ankle.
“He trained well yesterday - he’s going to do the main session tomorrow and we expect him to play this week.”
Round 21 Melbourne injury list
Mitch Clark (foot) – season
Tom Couch (hamstring) – 2 weeks
Chris Dawes (calf) – test
Michael Evans (foot) – season
James Frawley (hamstring) – test
Tom Gillies (calf) – test
Mark Jamar (foot) – test
Cameron Pedersen (ill) – test
Nathan Stark (ankle) – test
