MELBOURNE may place key forward Mitch Clark on the long-term injury list as he takes personal leave from the club to deal with ongoing health issues.
Demons coach Paul Roos has flagged the prospect of placing Clark on the list to ease the pressure on the 26-year-old. He expects to talk to Clark about the possible next step on Monday afternoon.
"With Mitch, it is about his health and making sure that is a priority and not his footy at the moment," Roos said.
Clark has not played since round four, 2013 and has battled a foot injury since midway through 2012.
Roos said Clark's foot was now fine but it's understood the 26-year-old has been battling soft-tissue injuries during the pre-season.
The Demons will not only be without Clark but also his fellow key forwards Jesse Hogan and Chris Dawes when they face St Kilda in round one. Hogan has a back problem while Dawes has a lingering calf injury.
However, Roos said he was focused on who was available rather than who wasn't, with Jeremy Howe and Jack Fitzpatrick likely to be the key forward targets. Cameron Pedersen is also being considered.
Ruckman/forward Max Gawn played a practice match on Saturday but he remains doubtful as the club will only take fit players into the season opener.
"To be fair to his preparation, it would be good for him to play at least another game and play well again," Roos said.
Roos said mature-aged recruit Alex Georgiou was a strong possibility to be elevated from the rookie list, with the decision to be made in the next 24 hours.
Exciting forward Jay Kennedy-Harris is in contention to make his debut in round one but Roos was non-committal about whether or not he would play.
"He did show the intent and the endeavour and the running capacity and the commitment to play AFL football [with Casey Scorpions on Saturday]. He's definitely in the discussion process as we move through the week," Roos said.
Because Melbourne's opponent St Kilda has several key players unavailable through injury and suspension, many pundits think the Demons are entitled to start favourites.
If the Demons win they will erase a few unwanted losing streaks – having not won in round one or two since 2005, against the Saints since 2006 or at Etihad Stadium since round 19, 2007.
However Roos said there was no need for him to remind the players of recent history as they entered the game, and that every game was a hard game for Melbourne.
"I don't think you have to remind any of our players that their record is poor," Roos said. "I think they are well aware of that so I don't think it is something I have to mention to them."
Melbourne defender Alex Georgiou could be in line for a round one debut. Picture: AFL Media
