AFL: Melbourne Demons key forward Tom McDonald out of Fremantle clash with ankle injury

Melbourne has lost a second premiership player for Saturday’s showdown with Fremantle as it counts the cost of last week’s victory over North Melbourne.

Tom McDonald was unable to prove his fitness on Friday and is out of Saturday’s clash with Fremantle. Picture: Getty Images

Unbeaten Melbourne has lost a second premiership player to injury ahead of its top-four clash with Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday.

A rib injury had already sidelined in-form winger Ed Langdon, but the Demons will now also be without key forward Tom McDonald (ankle), who’s been in strong form since winning back his spot.

McDonald wasn’t able to train on Friday and was subsequently ruled out of the Dockers match, which could provide a serious test to Melbourne’s undefeated status.

He suffered the ankle injury in the early stages of last week’s defeat of North Melbourne but played on and kicked three goals before finishing the game on the bench.

Melbourne’s general manager of AFL football performance, Alan Richardson, confirmed the 29-year-old was out of the side.

Tom McDonald signals to the bench last week after hurting an ankle. Picture: Getty Images

“Tom has some ankle soreness, which meant he wasn’t able to get through our final training session this morning,” Richardson said.

“We will monitor Tom over the next few days, but at this stage, we’re hopeful he will be available next week.”

Fellow key forward Sam Weideman earns another senior shot as McDonald’s replacement, while Mitch Brown joins the side’s emergencies.

McDonald’s kicked 11 goals in the past month since returning from a one-game VFL stint after managing only four across the first five rounds.

Melbourne, which has temporarily rebranded as Narrm for the two Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous rounds, takes on Fremantle from 4.35pm on Saturday.

Originally published as AFL: Melbourne Demons key forward Tom McDonald out of Fremantle clash with ankle injury