MELBOURNE is hopeful co-captain Jack Viney will be fit for its clash against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, but the Demons won't be taking any risks to get him up for the game.
Viney sat out the Demons' breakthrough five-point win over Hawthorn due to an injury to the AC joint in his right shoulder after a big bump from Tiger youngster Sydney Stack on Anzac Day Eve.
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Coach Simon Goodwin said Wednesday's training session at Casey Fields would be determine whether Viney was fit to return to face the Suns.
"He's got an important day today (Wednesday). Clearly we'll have a look at him and make an assessment," Goodwin said before training at Casey Fields on Wednesday.
"Jack knows his body incredibly well. He's been through a lot in the last two to three years, so he won't put himself at risk.
If he's right to go he'll put his hand up. If he's not, then he'll give himself another week. - Simon Goodwin on Jack Viney
The media was able to watch the first 20 minutes of training, and Viney appeared to be training without restriction in that period.
Goodwin said Braydon Preuss (shoulder) and Tim Smith (back) would be available for selection, while Jeff Garlett (hamstring) has pulled up well from the game against the Hawks and will play.
However, young forward Sam Weideman pulled up sore from his VFL game for Casey on Sunday and Goodwin said he would be given the week off.
After being dropped from the AFL side, Weideman gathered 21 touches and kicked 2.3 in a positive response.
The Demons will look to build some momentum following the win against the Hawks, with a tough patch of games against West Coast (in Perth), Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide (Darwin) and Collingwood coming up.
Goodwin said the victory had been a welcome outcome after a 1-5 start to the season.
"A win changes the mood in any club. We try to keep things pretty level, but we play an emotional game and when you win there's no question your environment feels a bit better," Goodwin said.
"That's the reality of human nature that you do feel better after winning."
Goodwin said the issue around Steven May had been blown out of proportion and said the defender had made great strides in his progress towards a return to the field.
"He's getting himself in really good condition, his rehab is progressing well and he's probably 3-4 weeks away from getting back to playing some footy," Goodwin said.
"But his attitude towards his training and the work he has been doing is certainly going to put himself in a position where he'll be able to get the best version of Steven May, and that's what we wanted when we get him at the footy club."
However, the Melbourne coach realised the team's sub-par performance to start the season had played a hand in the negative commentary around the club.
"When you're not performing to the level that expectation was at, and we've spoken a lot about that, people always look to reasons as to why that's the case.
"Fundamentally, the reasons are that we just haven't played good footy. But people will come at you and look at things that aren't working in your program and they'll find stories, and that's the reality of the world and business we live in."
