MELBOURNE forward Austin Wonaeamirri is benefitting from time spent in his homeland of the Tiwi Islands but has not yet confirmed when he will return to the club.

The 22-year-old was granted a leave of absence from the Demons nearly two weeks ago after becoming disconnected from his culture and developing homesickness in recent months.

Wonaeamirri had been dealing with the passing of his father Matthew and mentor Maurice Rioli late last year.

Coach Dean Bailey, who worked closely with Wonaeamirri and even invited him to live at his family home in an attempt to help him through his problems, said he didn't know exactly when he would return but was buoyed by his improved mindset.

"He caught two turtles and I think it was about 12 or 13 fish yesterday," he said on Friday, when asked for an update on the 31-game player's progress.

"He's having a good time. We'll see him back soon.

"I can't give you a definite date. All I know he said the two turtles were good and the 12 fish he was a bit disappointed in.

"His whole aspect to go back was to reconnect with his culture and we've given him the time to do it.

"He's going to be an important player for us going forward."

Wonaeamirri has not played senior football since round eight and has managed just five games this year largely due to a delayed pre-season because of his family's double tragedy.

He missed round nine with a knee injury after stringing together consecutive games across Melbourne's round five bye but returned for the Casey Scorpions in the VFL the weekend before he was allowed to go home.

Matthew Wonaeamirri passed away at the age of 63 as the result of a car accident in late November on the Tiwi Islands, while Rioli, 53, died of a suspected heart attack in Darwin on December 25 last year.