Struggling Dees cop another blow
Melbourne has been dealt another blow in its quest to regain a top eight spot with Christian Salem sidelined for up to a month with a hamstring injury.
The left-footer came from the field with hamstring tightness in the third quarter of the Demons’ horror loss to Fremantle, shortly after Koltyn Tholstrup had been subbed out.
Tholstrup was withdrawn from the game tactically but experienced delayed concussion symptoms after returning from Perth and will also miss Saturday’s must-win clash against GWS.
Melbourne high performance boss Selwyn Griffith said Salem would miss three to four weeks after suffering a hamstring tear earlier in the season.
“Christian came to the bench after feeling his hamstring cramp in the third period after accelerating,” Griffith said.
“He wasn’t able to return to the field due to a loss of strength. Scans have shown that he does have a low-grade hamstring strain, so he’ll miss this week and we’ll continue to progress him through hamstring reconditioning protocols.
“Following us returning to Melbourne, (Tholstrup) had some delayed symptoms with headaches and altered vision and has now entered the concussion protocol. So, he’ll progress through that as symptoms settle.”
The Demons will decide on whether captain Max Gawn can face the Giants after he trains at Casey Fields on Wednesday.
“Max trained really well last week and had another great session over the weekend, he’s been an absolute professional in his recovery,” Griffith said.
“He’ll look to integrate into full training (on Wednesday) and then we’ll make an assessment on his availability following training.”
Western Bulldogs star defender Liam Jones is firming to return from a knee injury against Sydney at the SCG on Sunday, which would be the first game of a new key defensive partnership with the in-form Rory Lobb.
Carlton was relieved to receive scans showing no structural damage for Blake Acres’ foot, meaning the wingman could still be passed fit to face Port Adelaide.
The five-day break from the win over North Melbourne will work against Acres though, as the Blues also test defenders Mitch McGovern (hip), Jordan Boyd (shin soreness) and Caleb Marchbank (illness) ahead of the clash.
Collingwood can regain Lachie Schultz and Charlie Dean from concussion but important forward Beau McCreery will be held out for one more week as he builds fitness following a calf strain.
