AFL: Melbourne ruckmen Max Gawn and Luke Jackson to undergo fitness tests ahead of Geelong clash
Melbourne could get a timely boost for Thursday night’s big clash with Geelong after being forced to use makeshift ruckmen last week.
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Melbourne hopes to receive a double boost for Thursday night’s top-of-the-table showdown against Geelong, with ruckmen Max Gawn and Luke Jackson both a chance to play.
The Demons turned to Sam Weideman and Mitch Brown as makeshift big men in last week’s 29-point win over Adelaide after Jackson removed from the selected side with knee soreness.
Gawn also missed a second-straight game with his syndesmosis setback, while Majak Daw – Melbourne’s closest other player to a ruckman – was out with a pectoral injury but also retired last week.
The premiership ruck duo will undergo fitness tests on Wednesday ahead of the trip down the highway to the Cattery, with the Dees hopeful at least one will be able to lead their big man division.
Jackson is still yet to make a call on his playing future, as both Fremantle and West Coast chase the out-of-contract West Australian prodigy’s signature.
Melbourne’s suffered a spate of injuries in the past month after a golden run in the previous 18 months, with the likes of Ed Langdon, Steven May and Tom McDonald also going down recently.
The clash with in-form Geelong shapes as a pivotal one, given there is just one win and percentage separating each team in the top four.
Gawn capped the Demons’ stunning second-half comeback from 44 points down with an after-the-siren matchwinner in round 23 last year to seal the minor premiership.
That victory set the scene for their drought-busting flag victory barely a month later, including a crushing preliminary final defeat of the Cats.
There is also renewed hope that key forward McDonald could still play a part in season 2022.
Scans in early June confirmed the club’s fears that McDonald was dealing with a Lisfranc injury and he underwent surgery to have a plate inserted in his sore foot.
The 202-game key forward has been using a scooter to get around but Melbourne doctor Laura Lallenec said he had resumed walking and could return in as few as eight weeks.
That timeline still rules him out for the rest of the home and away season and it remains to be seen whether the Demons would be willing to play him in a cutthroat final off a limited preparation.
Daniel Turner (facial fractures) is a fortnight from returning, while fellow tall defender Joel Smith (foot) has increased his training loads and could be back playing inside the next month.
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Originally published as AFL: Melbourne ruckmen Max Gawn and Luke Jackson to undergo fitness tests ahead of Geelong clash
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