- Joined
- Dec 3, 2004
- Posts
- 1,225
- Reaction score
- 71
- Location
- Melb
- AFL Club
- Melbourne
- Other Teams
- Demons,Pacers
Melbourne coach Neale Daniher has hinted at an early return for key Demon Cameron Bruce, who was the Brownlow Medal favourite before he injured his AC-joint against St Kilda in round four.
Although Bruce was expected to be sidelined for another three to four weeks, Daniher revealed the versatile Demon was ahead of schedule and is a chance to line-up against Hawthorn in round eight.
"He's telling me he is, but I don't know whether he's tricking me or not. I'll find out next week and see how he goes. He's progressing well. It might not be next week or it might be the week after," Daniher said before Melbourne's Thursday training session at the Junction Oval.
Melbourne defender Paul Wheatley will miss this Friday night's clash against Adelaide through injury, while forward/midfielders Shannon Motlop and Steven Armstrong are both in doubt due to hamstring injuries.
The Demons have promoted ruckman/forward Paul Johnson for his first match for the club, while they will welcome back exciting forward/midfielder Col Sylvia, who booted seven goals for Sandringham in the VFL last round.
Defender Matthew Whelan (hamstring) and ruckman Mark Jamar (calf) are also expected to be available for match against the Hawks, while Phil Read (hamstring) will be available for selection next week.
Midfielder/defender Daniel Ward is still another four to six weeks away with a shoulder injury, while young key forward/defender Nick Smith will also be sidelined for four to six matches. Backman Nathan Carroll also has an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, Daniher said the Demons would stick with Ryan Ferguson ahead of veteran defender Alistair Nicholson in the full-back position.
"We'll still be playing Ferguson at this stage and Al's playing pretty well at the moment, but Al will be really important for us when we play the really big (sides) come Richmond, with (Troy) Simmonds, (Greg) Stafford and (Matthew) Richardson," Daniher said.
"Al will be a very, very important player for us. They've (Adelaide) only got (Ian) Perrie up front, so it'll be just horses for courses."
Although Bruce was expected to be sidelined for another three to four weeks, Daniher revealed the versatile Demon was ahead of schedule and is a chance to line-up against Hawthorn in round eight.
"He's telling me he is, but I don't know whether he's tricking me or not. I'll find out next week and see how he goes. He's progressing well. It might not be next week or it might be the week after," Daniher said before Melbourne's Thursday training session at the Junction Oval.
Melbourne defender Paul Wheatley will miss this Friday night's clash against Adelaide through injury, while forward/midfielders Shannon Motlop and Steven Armstrong are both in doubt due to hamstring injuries.
The Demons have promoted ruckman/forward Paul Johnson for his first match for the club, while they will welcome back exciting forward/midfielder Col Sylvia, who booted seven goals for Sandringham in the VFL last round.
Defender Matthew Whelan (hamstring) and ruckman Mark Jamar (calf) are also expected to be available for match against the Hawks, while Phil Read (hamstring) will be available for selection next week.
Midfielder/defender Daniel Ward is still another four to six weeks away with a shoulder injury, while young key forward/defender Nick Smith will also be sidelined for four to six matches. Backman Nathan Carroll also has an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, Daniher said the Demons would stick with Ryan Ferguson ahead of veteran defender Alistair Nicholson in the full-back position.
"We'll still be playing Ferguson at this stage and Al's playing pretty well at the moment, but Al will be really important for us when we play the really big (sides) come Richmond, with (Troy) Simmonds, (Greg) Stafford and (Matthew) Richardson," Daniher said.
"Al will be a very, very important player for us. They've (Adelaide) only got (Ian) Perrie up front, so it'll be just horses for courses."
