Two Dees back, another down
Melbourne looks set to regain two of its brightest prospects but the injury crisis deepens
MELBOURNE looks set to regain young pair Tom Scully and Jack Trengove this weekend but has been rocked by another injury with forward Michael Newton to miss up to six weeks with a foot injury.
The 24-year-old will be sidelined for at least a month.
Newton has played in the Demons' last three games after coming into the side for his first run for the season in round eight against North Melbourne.
He played his best game against the Kangaroos with two goals, eight marks and 17 touches.
It's another blow for Melbourne's forward line with 2009 best and fairest winner Aaron Davey already ruled out for up to two months after he underwent surgery on his left knee last week.
The Demons continue to test their depth this season with Luke Tapscott (hamstring - two weeks), Mark Jamar (knee - three weeks), Rohan Bail (knee - four weeks), Col Garland (ankle - five weeks) and Jack Grimes (foot - season) sidelined.
They will also be without forward Austin Wonaeamirri for an indefinite period after the 22-year-old was told he could go home this week to combat a combination of homesickness and lingering grief from the passing of his father Matthew and mentor Maurice Rioli late last year.
Scully will need to prove his fitness at a training session on Wednesday after making a long-awaited return from a knee injury in the VFL on the weekend.
The 20-year-old battled with the complaint throughout the pre-season competition and has not been able to take any part in the home and away season.
He played 60 per cent of the Casey Scorpions' loss to Williamstown on Saturday and had 19 touches and kicked a goal.
"Tommy got through the game pretty well. We've got our main training session tomorrow [Wednesday] so it's really going to depend on how he gets through that," coach Dean Bailey said on Tuesday.
"Often your first game when you've been out for a period of time, you're normally pretty fresh when you play; it's the two days afterwards that determine if you're going to get sore or not.
"At the moment, he's walking around OK and he had a nice little brief run this morning.
"If he can get through tomorrow, that will be a better sign."
Clint Bartram (hip) will face a fitness test after missing the clash with Carlton while former Hawk Robbie Campbell - who is yet to play for his new club - will also be assessed to see if he has overcome nagging knee soreness.
Campbell, who has played just one game for the Casey reserves this year, is likely to come through the VFL if he does get up this week.
Melbourne faces Essendon this Friday night in another big clash at the MCG.
Bailey said winning the battle of the midfield would help stymie the influence of the Bombers' tall trio of Paddy Ryder, David Hille and Tom Bellchambers, but admitted 208cm ruckman Max Gawn could be added to the side for his debut to offset the big ruck trio.
"[Gawn] played well on the weekend, which was good. He's in good form, the big bloke, so he'll be seriously considered, I think," he said.
"I think in the Richmond game when they were able to spoil the ball, particularly in their defensive back six; the Tigers were really able to spoil the ball and run the ball off the spoil and bring it to ground and try and run [the Bombers].
"In the ruck, though, Hille's a very good ruckman so the three talls are going to be a challenge for us.
"Everything about playing in the forward line is about the delivery they get, and if we don't apply enough pressure through the middle of the ground, they'll get good delivery.
"But, if we can apply enough pressure, which we should be able to, then it gives our backs to one, defend, and two, to attack."
Trengove is available after serving a three-week suspension for a dangerous tackle against Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield in round seven while forward Lynden Dunn is back in selection consideration after completing a two-match sanction for rough conduct towards North Melbourne's Daniel Pratt.