Frawley's pre-season was interrupted with a shoulder injury, forcing him to miss the entire NAB Cup and NAB Challenge series as well as last week's draw against the Sydney Swans.
But Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said he was likely to make his return this week.
"I'm not sure yet. Our main training session is tomorrow. He'll have to get through tomorrow's training session. All indicators are that he's probably more likely to play but that last session on the Friday will be the final test," Bailey said.
"He's hit all the markers that our medical (staff) want him to, our fitness (staff) have and certainly our kicking. We'll put him through his paces tomorrow, there's no point taking someone in with any question marks over them."
Frawley enjoyed a career-best season in 2010, finishing second in Melbourne's club best and fairest and earning All-Australian. But he suffered a setback when he tore his pectoral muscle while lifting weights in January.
If he does play, Frawley is unlikely to be eased into the action, with the prospect of dangerous Hawk Lance Franklin facing him.
But Bailey said it was likely Frawley, Colin Garland and Jared Rivers would all rotate on the 2008 Coleman medallist.
"Rivers has played on Buddy before, Garlo has played on Buddy before, so has Chippa so we've got three guys to pick from. Chippa really enjoys the challenge so if he gets through training tomorrow I'm sure he'd be putting his hand up to play on Buddy," he said.
"He's a difficult player where he plays. He's not just a deep forward, he's a high forward, he gets up to the middle of the ground, he's got great endurance and great speed. When he gets the football things happen so we've got to be a bit versatile in our thinking with him."
James Frawley is a $305,700 defender in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition
