FORWARD Jake Melksham (hamstring) remains a 50/50 chance for Sunday’s clash against the Sydney Swans at the MCG, while defender Michael Hibberd (quadriceps) will miss another week.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said Melksham would face a test later in the week, while Hibberd was being earmarked for a return against West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium in round 22.
Co-captain Jack Viney (toe) has been pencilled in for the first week of the finals, if Melbourne makes it, while high-flyer Joel Smith, who broke his collarbone against the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG last Sunday, will miss three to four weeks.
First-year Demon Oskar Baker will be sidelined for the next six weeks with a hamstring injury, after he suffered the injury playing for Casey last weekend.
Ruckman Mitch King, who hurt his knee playing for Casey, will be 50/50 this weekend.
Jake Lever (knee), Billy Stretch (toe) and Corey Maynard (hip) remain sidelined for the rest of the season.
Misson’s injury assessments
Oskar Baker (hamstring) – 6 weeks
“Unfortunately, he tried to kick a ball off the ground in the VFL game and hurt his hamstring. It’s a pretty reasonable strain, so we’re probably looking at the better part of six weeks for that one.”
Michael Hibberd (quadriceps) – 1 week
“He’s going really well in rehab. It’ll probably be a couple of sessions short for this week, so we expect him to get up for the West Coast game next week.”
Mitch King (knee) – test
“Mitch got a knock on his knee in a ruck contest in the VFL. It’s the same knee he’s had two reconstructions on. Fortunately, his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) was good, so he had a run out there today (Tuesday) and he’ll just need to tick off training on Thursday, but we’re hoping that he’ll be right.”
Jake Lever (knee) – season
“Jake’s overseas at the moment for a couple of weeks, so he’ll get stuck into his rehab when he gets back.”
Corey Maynard (hip) – season
“Corey will start to run on the AlterG Treadmill this week. He’ll look to have a run outside next week, so he’s progressing well.”
Jake Melksham (hamstring) – test
“Melky’s going to be a test this week. He’s actually looking really good in rehab, so we’ll see how he is later in the week.”
Joel Smith (collarbone) – 3-4 weeks
“It was disappointing to lose Joel Smith during the game on the weekend. He had surgery on Sunday night and had a plate put in to fix up that collarbone. He’s probably three to four weeks we think.”
Billy Stretch (toe) – season
“Billy with that little toe, had a little crack in it. He’s starting to ween off the crutches this week. He’s starting to partially weight bear in a moonboot, but he’s finished for the year and we’ll try and get him right for pre-season.”
Jack Viney (toe) – 4 weeks
“Vines has started to reload. He had a run on the AlterG Treadmill yesterday (Monday) and has pulled up pretty well, so he’ll do that again tomorrow (Wednesday) and look to have a run outside later in the week. Simon [Goodwin] has reported that Jack’s program doesn’t see him playing until the finals – if we happen to get in it. So, he’s on track for that.”
Melbourne injury list: round 21
Oskar Baker (hamstring) – 6 weeks
Michael Hibberd (quadriceps) – 1 week
Mitch King (knee) – test
Jake Lever (knee) – season
Corey Maynard (hip) – season
Jake Melksham (hamstring) – test
Joel Smith (collarbone) – 3-4 weeks
Billy Stretch (toe) – season
Jack Viney (toe) – 4 weeks
