As the GIANTS prepare to travel to the Nation’s Capital to take on the Demons, we take a look at all the news coming out of Melbourne.
Last week saw the Demons suffer a major blow, with key forward Jesse Hogan breaking his collarbone and requiring surgery after his side’s four-point loss to the Kangaroos.
Hogan proved to be the difference between the two sides in their last clash in Round one, 2016 kicking three last quarter goals to guide his side to victory.
Melbourne Elite Performance Manager Dave Mission told Demons TV on Tuesday that the club was unsure whether they would see Hogan back this season.
“Jesse had surgery on Sunday afternoon and the surgery went well. He had a plate inserted onto that collarbone,” he told Melbourne TV.
“We’re hoping, as [coach] Simon Goodwin said, that he’s going to come back and play again this year, but we’re not putting any time frames on it. We just want to assess Jesse and see how he’s going and take it from there.”
With Hogan out of the side indefinitely, his place could be taken by Sam Weideman after the young forward took nine marks and kicked three goals in a best on ground performance for Casey in the VFL last weekend.
Another potential option is big man Cameron Pederson who showed plenty of good signs before ruck man Max Gawn’ comeback from a long-term hamstring injury two weeks ago.
In better news for the Demons, co-captain Nathan Jones is expected to take his place in Canberra after missing the last six matches with a quad injury.
The addition of the 29-year-old is a major boost for the Demons midfield who sit third in clearances behind the top ranked GIANTS.
Jones told Melbourne radio station RSN Racing and Sport on Tuesday that he was confident of getting back in the side to face the GIANTS.
“I've got a couple of sessions to get through but I should be right to go,” Jones said.
“I could have potentially played last week, but it would have been cramming too much (conditioning) into the week.”
Meanwhile versatile defender Bernie Vince is available for selection after missing the previous two weeks through suspension for striking Adelaide’s Eddie Betts.
Young guns Josh Wagner and Angus Brayshaw will both be in line for selection after impressing in the VFL collecting over 20 disposals each, with Brayshaw on the comeback trail after a number of serious concussion issues over the past two seasons.
The GIANTS take on Melbourne in the nation’s capital on Saturday at 1:45pm at UNSW Canberra Oval. CLICK HERE for tickets.
