Demons co-captain Jack Viney played Round 1 after battling concussion symptoms

Melbourne and co-captain Jack Viney endured a tough afternoon in Round 1. But there might have been more to the rugged midfielder’s performance than meets the eye.

Jack Viney at training this week. Pic: Getty Images

Melbourne hard nut Jack Viney was forced to overcome concussion symptoms before being cleared to line up in Round 1.

The Herald Sun understands Viney copped a sickening head knock at training about 10 days before the loss to Port Adelaide, where he was uncharacteristically out of sorts.

But the concussion was not believed to have impacted on Viney’s poor performance with the onballer instead simply underdone following ankle surgery and a limited pre-season.

MONEYBALL: DEES ARMED FOR TRADE PERIOD

ROUND 2 TEAMS: SCULLY TO MAKE HAWKS DEBUT

Viney, 24, passed all the medical tests required to play before he arguably put in the worst performance of his impressive career.

Co-captains Jack Viney and Nathan Jones had a tough day against Port. Pic: Michael Klein.

Viney collected just 10 disposals and failed to win a clearance for the first time in five years as the Demons’ midfield was beaten by Port’s emerging line-up.

Viney celebrates his 100th game against Geelong down the highway tomorrow night and is one of several players under pressure to respond.

The midfield wrecking ball’s double injury blow follows the revelation All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn was hospitalised with a skin infection just three days before the shock defeat to Port.

Gawn struggled as he was targeted physically by the Power.

Several Demons were booked for post-season surgery and, combined with the delayed start to pre-season due to reaching last year’s preliminary final, struggled in Round 1.

But Demons insiders remain confident they are well prepared for an assault on this year’s premiership with one of the league’s most talented lists.

Co-captain Viney recorded 12 disposals in his first game last season and responded with 35 touches and a Brownlow Medal vote the following week.

Max Gawn will be looking for some support if the Cats try to rough him up. Pic: Getty Images

Fellow co-captain Nathan Jones said players had taken responsibility for their poor showing but said they needed to provide more support for Gawn.

“We were ready. Obviously and clearly we didn’t get a full pre-season in, but as far as getting enough work in to play in the game (there’s) no doubt about that,” Jones said.

Dees VFL recruit Jay Lockhart will debut against the Cats just two weeks after he was added to the club’s list.

The little Taswegian joined Casey last season and finished second in the best-and-fairest.