Melbourne Demons AFL news: Kysaiah Pickett, Steven May, Angus Brayshaw racing to prove fitness
Melbourne wants to hit the ground running against Fremantle on Saturday and is desperate for three key players to overcome injury concerns in time.
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Melbourne excitement machine Kysaiah Pickett will attempt to prove his fitness at main training on Wednesday as the Demons sweat the availability of three key players.
Pickett (personal leave), Angus Brayshaw (foot) and gun defender Steven May (concussion) will all be under be under the microscope when Simon Goodwin looks to finalise his team to take on Fremantle on Saturday.
Pickett, 19, took three weeks of personal leave after the passing of his mother but last week returned to the club to resume full training and ramp up his preparation for Round 1.
The Demons are keen for the electric forward to take his place but won’t make the call until he has been put through his paces in the main session.
If he can train at the required intensity he will get the green light after impressing coaching staff playing four quarters in the VFL practice match at the weekend.
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The speedy Pickett is a key part of the Demons’ plans to pay a forward-half game style in 2021 with coach Goodwin keen to ramp up the pressure and repeat entries in attack.
Pickett trained while he was away from the club last month, but the Demons are mindful of taking in a strong-running side for the clash against the Dockers with reduced rotations and increased playing time.
It means they will also closely monitor Brayshaw to make sure he is fully fit after an interrupted pre-season campaign.
Brayshaw had foot surgery last year which cut his season short, but the gun ballwinner has stepped up his training over the past month and has played two VFL practice games.
The Dees will be happy to play Pickett and Brayshaw, but only if they impress on the track and complete all the running on Wednesday.
Star defender May on Monday took a step towards taking on the Dockers at the MCG when he trained with the main group at Casey Fields on Monday.
May is recovering from concussion and could complete his mandatory 12-day rest period on game day on Saturday.
AFL rules allow May to play, but he has to tick several boxes this week including competing a contact training session.
The medicos will also assess how May recovers from each session throughout the week to make sure he has overcome any concussion symptoms.
May is a cornerstone in the Demons’ defence and one of the best key defenders in the competition.
Originally published as Melbourne Demons AFL news: Kysaiah Pickett, Steven May, Angus Brayshaw racing to prove fitness
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