MELBOURNE’S injury list has taken a hit this week, after six players suffered injuries playing for Casey in the VFL last weekend.
Ball winners David Rodan and Tom Couch sustained hamstring injuries, while utilities Neville Jetta and James Sellar suffered concussion, and tall Troy Davis injured his ribs during Casey’s 56-point loss against Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval last Sunday.
Defender Joel Macdonald, who had been sidelined with a foot injury since round 11, sustained a groin injury. He is now 50/50 for this weekend.
Acting general manager of football operations, Josh Mahoney, said Rodan and Couch would be sidelined for the next few weeks, while Jetta, Sellar and Davis will face fitness tests this week.
“Along with the poor result on the weekend at Casey, we also had a number of injuries come out of that game,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“James Sellar and Troy Davis were both involved in collision injuries, and later in the game, David Rodan and Tom Couch both hurt their hamstrings.
“At this stage, we’d expect James and Troy to be OK for this week, and David and Tom will go through the usual hamstring program.”
In better news for the Demons, ruckman Jake Spencer is available for selection this round, after serving a three match suspension.
But speedster Rohan Bail (knee) will be out for another two to three matches, while ruckman Mark Jamar and midfielder Michael Evans will also miss three weeks each with foot injuries.
Rookie Nathan Stark will be sidelined for one to two more matches with an ankle problem.
Big man Mitch Clark (foot) remains sidelined indefinitely.
Round 17 Melbourne injury list
Rohan Bail (knee) – 2-3 weeks
Mitch Clark (foot) – indefinite
Tom Couch (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
Troy Davis (ribs) – test
Michael Evans (foot) – 3 weeks
Mark Jamar (foot) – 3 weeks
Neville Jetta (concussion) – test
Joel Macdonald (groin) – test
David Rodan (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
James Sellar (concussion) – test
Nathan Stark (ankle) – 1-2 weeks
Dees hit by injuries via VFL
Melbourne’s injury list has grown after six players suffered setbacks in the VFL last round