MELBOURNE stars Tom McDonald and Clayton Oliver remained on light duties at training on Monday and still have a few hurdles to overcome before proving their fitness for Sunday's clash against Geelong at the MCG.

The pair spent all of Monday's session at Gosch's Paddock away from the main group, working with rehab coach Daniel Cross on light skills and then some more vigorous touch work.

McDonald, who stayed in runners for the whole of Monday's session, is looking to shake off a niggling toe injury, and has plenty of work to do to be cleared to play against the Cats.

Oliver copped a knock to his right knee in the club's second JLT Community Series clash against St Kilda and has been on modified duties since then.

However, the Demons are confident Oliver, who had his right knee bandaged, will be right to go against Geelong and although he did not join in full training, the reigning best and fairest winner moved well.

In good news for Melbourne, co-captain Nathan Jones (back), Alex Neal-Bullen (quad) and Jordan Lewis (calf) were all in full training on Monday and appear set to play in the opening round.

McDonald, Oliver and co-captain Jack Viney started the session with some light kicking and then progressed into a more intense leading and marking drill.

Clayton Oliver and Tom McDonald on the sidelines at training on Monday. Picture: Ben Guthrie

Viney, who is targeting a return in round three – most likely via the VFL – still appears restricted in his movements and received treatment from the doctor at one stage.

Viney did what he needed to do but left the track early, and the Demons will be cautious with his recovery after an interrupted pre-season.

McDonald completed the running component of his training at the end of training, but Thursday's main training session will be an important one to determine his availability for round one.

The key forward also had a lengthy conversation with the club's medical staff at the end of training.

The nine Demons who played in the VFL practice match for Casey against Box Hill on Saturday (Dom Tyson, James Harmes, Jeff Garlett, Neville Jetta, Sam Weideman, Dean Kent, Sam Frost, Joel Smith and Tim Smith) all jogged laps as part of their programs.

Tyson, Garlett, Jetta and Harmes are all in the selection frame for the clash with the Cats.

Midfielder Angus Brayshaw was a notable absentee at Melbourne training on Monday morning. There was nothing sinister in his absence, according to the club, with the Demons saying he missed the session due to illness.