The exciting young Demon suffered the setback against Hawthorn during Melbourne's narrow loss at Aurora Stadium on Saturday. Melbourne football operations manager Craig Notman said the 2008 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee would be back in a month.
"He's probably looking at missing three weeks and will be back in four," Notman told melbournefc.com.au.
Meanwhile, veteran high-flyer Russell Robertson is coming along in his rehabilitation, after he suffered a snapped achilles in round 10 last year.
"'He is just being monitored and brought along nice and slow, so we'll make sure he doesn't do too much, but is ready to go throughout the year," Notman said.
"Robbo will need a little bit more time, given the serious injury he's had, but will be aiming to train with the group fully by March.
"He won't be [available] at the beginning of the season, one wouldn't think at this stage, but he's made some great progress since Christmas.
"He hasn't got age on his side anymore either, so we've got to be very careful with him, but the steps that have been made with him have been great. He's one of the old heads in the group now, so he won't be too far away."
Ruckman Mark Jamar (foot) and defender Paul Wheatley (calf) are also recovering well.
"Mark's actually back running now and he's just had some trouble with his foot and has been in a boot for a while," Notman said.
"He's progressing pretty well too, so it'll be good to get him back up and running and after seeing young big bloke [Jake] Spencer play alright on the weekend, he'll want to get back a little bit quicker, but he's going alright too.
"Wheatley is progressing nice and slowly with his calf strain. He's back running."
Notman said defender Matthew Whelan (calf) would not play against the Sydney Swans in Saturday's NAB Challenge match at Visy Park. Skipper James McDonald (corked knee) and midfielder Clint Bartram (burst ear drum) are still in the mix to play against the Swans. All three sustained the injuries against the Hawks.
Dream Team watch – Austin Wonaeamirri is rated a $277,300 forward in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.
