Melbourne is closing in on a decision to rule out veteran midfielder Jack Viney for the remainder of the season as he battles persistent injuries.
Viney has been plagued with achilles and back issues, and hasn't played since last year.
“I think it's getting close to that point now,” Demons coach Steven King said on ruling Viney out for the year.
“Without speaking on Jack's behalf, it's getting to a point now where he has progressed to a level but whether it's still on the table, we'll have to sit down with the medical team and really nut that out.
“Obviously with each week that goes on it's getting more and more difficult, but I'd love to have him out there. Especially at this time of year and what's coming ahead for us, he'd be valuable.
“But we don't want to compromise Jack in any way and his long-term health is going to be more important than trying to get him back just for this year.
“That's something we still have to manage.”
Harrison Petty and Bayley Fritsch are poised to return to the senior side after missing Sunday's win over Richmond. Fritsch dislocated his finger in Round 17 while Petty reported hamstring tightness.
The Melbourne pair will need to complete the week's training to be deemed available for selection ahead Saturday's clash with North Melbourne.
Premiership defender Christian Salem is set for another run in the VFL, with King indicating the left-footer will increase his minutes towards a full game.
The Demons coach also responded to reports Richmond is targeting fitness boss Selwyn Griffith after the club parted ways with high-performance manager Ben Serpell.
"I don't have fears (that he will be poached). I think it's a feather in the cap of our environment and in our program that we've got great people that work for us and play for us. So if people from the outside in this industry are looking at our club around what a Melbourne doing, that's making them spike and be successful, then that's a good thing," King said.
"I'm aware every club wants to get better – we're no different – so to do that you've got to add good people that have high skills and Selwyn is certainly one of those.
"So I'm not surprised; I think every club wants to get better and that's probably where Richmond are at the moment. They're a club that wants to turn their injury rate around. I'm a bit shocked by the timing. I mean we're still six or seven weeks left before finals. We've got a lot to play for, but that probably says more about them than us at this stage."
