IMPORTANT forward Tom McDonald is the latest big-name Demon to join the club's rehab group.
McDonald sported strapping around his left knee and trained away from the main group, alongside All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn, Mitch Hannan, Kade Chandler and Corey Wagner.
It's the same knee he suffered a season-ending meniscus tear on last year, although he shed the strapping as the session continued and he didn't appear overly limited.
Tom McDonald (left knee) was part of Melbourne’s rehab group today, along with Max Gawn, Mitch Hannan, Kade Chandler and Corey Wagner. pic.twitter.com/tZvTiYKPG4
— Marc McGowan (@ByMarcMcGowan) February 17, 2020
The 27-year-old was one of the biggest keys in Melbourne's rise to a preliminary final in 2018, when he kicked a career-high 53 goals.
McDonald struggled to replicate that performance for most of last season but had begun to recapture his best form before his knee setback.
The Demons recruited former Cat and Bomber Mitch Brown in the pre-season supplemental selection period to shore up their tall forward stocks.
Gawn ran laps for 20 minutes with that group, before progressing to straight-line running and plans to play at some stage in the Marsh Community Series ahead of round one.
Max Gawn continued his recovery from a knee setback pic.twitter.com/bMiL2YMHUP
— Marc McGowan (@ByMarcMcGowan) February 17, 2020
Hannan (groin) looks the most advanced and, along with Chandler, completed change-of-direction running and took contact in marking drills.
Steven May (knee) made an appearance at Gosch's Paddock but did not participate in Monday's session, while ex-Docker and Sun Harley Bennell continued his recovery from lingering calf issues.
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
Among the other players either out or on modified programs are Angus Brayshaw (elbow), Braydon Preuss (knee), Harry Petty (groin), Aaron vandenBerg (foot) and Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion).
