Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney returned with a bang in the VFL over the weekend in a year plagued by ongoing achilles and back injuries.
Viney collected 19 disposals, a game-high 10 clearances and finished with 1.2.
But how does his availability impact the Demons' AFL on-ball brigade, which is arguably humming?
Demons coach Steven King has a breadth of midfield talent, headed by Max Gawn and Kysaiah Pickett. The selflessness of Jack Steele to curb the influence of the opposition's best stoppage player; Tom Sparrow's want and desire to always win the contest; Caleb Windsor's speed and leg drive; Joel Fitzgerald's ability to accumulate hasn't gone unnoticed.
“It's just about making sure (Viney) has a great runway to set him up to succeed,” King said last week.
“He's coming from a back injury that has held him out for the whole season, so we have to respect what he's been through.
“I feel like you can't just get given a game on reputation, and you have to actually perform."
Melbourne's remarkable push towards a top-four position has shocked the entire AFL competition, with a lot of unsung heroes taking their moments week in, week out.
Fitzgerald looms as a wildcard in the Demons midfield after being taken in the mid-season draft, while Bailey Laurie is realising his potential with a revitalised role in the front half.
But as Melbourne vies for an unlikely push towards a premiership, could this be another case of Nathan Jones, although this time it's Jack Viney?
Jones famously stood aside and watched his club end a 57-year premiership drought in 2021, the year in which he retired.
The Melbourne captain bore the depths of the club's despair throughout a tumultuous 15-year period, which included multiple wooden spoons and free Septembers, before claiming the elusive flag.
Viney has a contract until the end of 2028, so this is no suggestion that he'll be calling time on his career anytime soon. But through injury of his own and the form of the senior team, could he miss out on the club's September run this year, as Jones did in 2021?
The same can be said for Jake Melksham.
The 34-year-old doesn't have a deal beyond this year, has faced multiple injury setbacks and has been overlooked in selection for the majority of the season.
Melksham was part of the Essendon 34 when the drug scandal hit the Bombers, and found a new life at the Demons. He missed out on premiership success in 2021, but produced a career-best season last year off the back of an ACL injury. He kicked 33 goals in 19 games.
Viney and Melksham played together in the VFL on the weekend, but will they push for AFL selection?
