Wheatley, one of Melbourne's most consistent performers in 2008, will miss the Tassie match due to a calf injury, but the 27-year-old is optimistic it will not hamper his preparations for the season ahead.
"I won't be playing in the first NAB Cup game. I'd like to think I'd be right for the second game. It's not a major set-back. It's just a little niggle and it's a long season, so I'll still be able to get three or four games in before the start of the season," Wheatley told melbournefc.com.au.
"I've done pretty much all of the pre-season. I haven't missed much, but it was two Mondays ago when I strained my calf, so it's just a little bit of a set-back."
Wheatley, who narrowly missed Melbourne's leadership group this year, says his pre-season has been his best for several years after battling injury in recent seasons.
"I'm pretty happy that I've got a good base under my belt and I'm a lot further advanced than this time last year”, he said.
"It's been a pretty tough pre-season … It's probably the first proper one I've had in three to four years. That's just through the way the game is going and I've got smarter with my body and through management.
Wheatley said last the club’s community day trip to Boolarra, which came just days after the town was devastated by Victoria’s recent bushfires, was a moving experience.
He added that his family was fortunate not to be directly affected by the tragedy, considering his home was on the cusp of some of the most severely hit regions a week-and-a-half ago.
"I'm from Epping, but Wandong and Whittlesea are 20 minutes away. It's not that far at all and Kinglake is about 30 to 40 minutes away," Wheatley said.
"I haven't known anyone injured in the fires, but you've got to feel for those families, although I do know some people who have lost houses, properties or farms, so it's very sad.
"It's hard not to get affected by it. Just to see the damage and the people's reactions – you've got to feel for these people. It was really sad and emotional and it's touched everyone in Australia – not just Victoria."
