Tom McDonald is in the selection mix for the semi-final against Brisbane on Friday, but the club is weighing up if he needs another week in the VFL for match fitness and touch.
Since recovering from a foot surgery that sidelined him for more than half the season, the premiership forward has played one VFL game and had one heavy training session last weekend during the VFL team’s bye.
McDonald will be considered for a return but appears more likely to need another week in the VFL final.
Tom McDonald pressing his case for the Casey Demons for a finals call up this year.Credit:AFL Photos
Small forward Charlie Spargo did not train on Tuesday as he recovers from a throat injury that saw him in hospital for two nights after the loss to Sydney on Friday night.
He was cleared of any fracture to the airway after suffering a heavy knock to the throat in the game.
“He does have some bruising around his vocal cords, so that’s something we like to keep a really close eye on … he’s been seeing a specialist every two days,” club doctor Laura Lallenec said.
“[We need] to make sure that swelling is improving, which it definitely is, so today was really precautionary looking after him early in the week, so we can get him going later in the week and hopefully have him ready to go for Friday.”
Melbourne star Christrian Petracca’s teammates insist he will play on Friday night.Credit:Getty Images
Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca and Bailey Fritsch, who both suffered leg injuries in the match, trained and are expected to play.
Petracca’s ability to get through the session despite the hairline fracture in his lower leg gave the club confidence he would be fit to play against Brisbane.
“The harder bit of the injury was that he had a big kick to his calf, which resulted in a corkie and that actually was bothering him more,” Lallenec said.
“Thankfully, it’s really settled down, and he’s done everything right. We’ve discussed his injury with a specialist, and they’re really happy that this injury is stable and that he’s safe to get out there and play.
“Today was really about getting him out training, making sure that he’s functional, that he’s able to run around, that he’s comfortable, and he’s really proven that today.”
Scans cleared Fritsch of any damage after he injured his knee in the warm-up to the qualifying final. He received treatment in the rooms before the game and was able to join the team for the first quarter. He suffered another knock to the knee later in the game, which caused the knee to swell. It has since settled, he trained on Tuesday and will play.
