MELBOURNE co-captain Jack Viney has cleared a significant hurdle in his bid to be fit for Friday night's elimination final against Geelong.
Viney completed his side's main training session on Saturday, taking part in full contact drills at top speed at Gosch's Paddock.
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His impending return is set to provide the Dees with a massive boost ahead of their first finals campaign in 12 years, with Viney absent since round 16 due to a toe injury.
However, concerns linger over veteran Jordan Lewis, who was sent home by club doctors on Saturday morning and has been quarantined from the rest of the squad as he battles illness.
Lewis is one of just four Demons with finals experience set to play in Friday night's huge clash with the Cats, along with Nathan Jones, Jake Melksham and Michael Hibberd.
Jones is the only remaining member of Melbourne's last finals team from 2006, but all eyes were on his fellow co-captain Viney on Saturday morning.
Starting the session away from the main group, Viney was met by cheers from his teammates as he joined them about half an hour into the session.
Jack Viney completing run-throughs at training on Saturday. Picture: AFL Photos
He took part in midfield drills and was an influential figure in a full-ground match simulation that completed Saturday's hit-out.
As training came to a close, Viney stayed on the track to run laps in an effort to build his match fitness ahead of a blockbuster elimination final against Geelong.
The successful session puts the 24-year-old in the best possible position to finally make his return to the field on Friday, having played just seven matches this year due to injury.
"I think he has (done enough to play)," Melksham said afterwards.
"He trained with us for the first time today since coming out of rehab, so he'll train with the group again all of next week and prepare for the weekend.
"It's pretty big. We know what Jack is going to bring every week. There's no doubt that every time he comes into the team or when he plays, he lifts us.
"We were all joking that he timed it well. He's sat around on his bum for 23 weeks and let us slog it out to get here, now he's going to reap the rewards next week."
Petracca fends off Harmes during match simulation. Picture: AFL Photos
Melbourne also remains confident that Dom Tyson will be fit to play Geelong, despite suffering a fractured forearm during its round 23 clash against Greater Western Sydney.
Tyson didn't join the main group on Saturday, sporting a large brace on his arm as he completed light non-contact duties.
A big crowd turned out ahead of the Dees' first finals appearance since 2006. Picture: AFL Photos
Max Gawn gets up close with a baby fan. Picture: AFL Photos
