McLeod's troublesome knee flared up after the club’s big win over Geelong in round 16, but coach Neil Craig said both McLeod and injured skipper Simon Goodwin (ankle) were a chance to play after another week on the sidelines.
At West Lakes on Friday McLeod stepped up his recovery, and Craig was optimistic about both veterans.
“McLeod ran today. He didn’t do any ball work, but he was running and doing agility work. I would think he’d need another week on the track and that he would maybe play after that,” coach Neil Craig said.
“Simon Goodwin is out of the moon boot at the moment. It’s only his second day out, so we need to be cautious with that but he seems to be walking around pain free. He’d be similar to McLeod with all things going well and barring any setbacks.”
Meanwhile, wingman Brodie Martin will make his long-awaited return from a serious knee injury against the Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Martin showed promise on debut against St Kilda in round 16 last season, before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in an innocuous incident during the club’s showdown win over Port Adelaide the following week.
The 21-year-old made a comeback via the SANFL reserves last month and was promptly elevated to Sturt’s league side.
Neil Craig said Martin would come into the side at the expense of rookie-listed forward Matthew Jaensch, who has been omitted.
“Brodie’s form has been pretty good in the SANFL and I think it’s appropriate that we also get a chance to look at him at this level again,” Craig said.
“Matty Jaensch has just gone off the boil a little bit. He’s been very good for a while, but his last couple of games in particular have just dropped off a bit.”
Forward Chris Knights has also been recalled to play his first AFL game since round five.
Knights, who has been battling plantar fasciitis, also made a comeback from long-term injury in the SANFL last month but was forced back onto the sidelines, after picking up an abdominal strain.
The left-footer hasn’t played football at any level for two weeks and Craig admitted it would be tough for both Knights and Martin to pick up the pace against the in-form Dogs this weekend.
“I saw Chris’ last game in the SANFL and he was quite impressive in that. He’s fit and he’s healthy and with Matthew Jaensch going off the boil it was an opportune time for Chris to come in.
“It’ll be a quick game, so it’ll be a difficult game to come into for both Chris and Brodie but that’s okay- we’ve got to do it some time.”
