‘Cautious approach’ to Melbourne premiership heroes Jake Lever and Michael Hibberd

Melbourne is going so well it doesn’t need to rush back a couple of injured star defenders for Friday night’s clash with Essendon.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has the luxury of not having to rush back injured players. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has revealed premiership defender Jake Lever could be sidelined beyond round 4 as the club takes an ultra-cautious approach to his return from a foot injury.

Lever, who is overcoming plantar fasciitis, and premiership-winning teammate Michael Hibberd, who suffered a calf strain on the eve of the season, are yet to play in 2022 and won’t take the field against Essendon on Friday night at the MCG.

“We’re still taking a cautious approach with them. They are both progressing really well and we’re really hopeful both will be available in the next couple of weeks,” Goodwin said on Tuesday.

“Jake is probably a little bit ahead of Michael. We’re building their loads back up and definitely one of them will be available the week after.”

Melbourne’s Michael Hibberd still isn’t ready to play. Picture: Michael Klein

Goodwin said the coaching staff wanted to make sure Lever’s foot issue “has settled” and wouldn’t rush him back, with the reigning premiers off to a 2-0 start to the season ahead of the Bombers’ clash.

“It’s a long season, we want to get it 100 per cent right, get the load we need back into his body. The medical team and high performance team have taken the approach we want to make sure he is 100 per cent right to go,” he said.

“That’s been supported by the coaching group.”

Goodwin also said he and the club were “really comfortable” with the situation around star young ruckman Luke Jackson’s contract after he put contract talks on hold for the early rounds of the year.

Melbourne young gun Luke Jackson is hot property. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The 20-year-old has emerged as the best young big man in the AFL and could be targeted by WA clubs to return home to Perth.

But Goodwin said Jackson “loves his teammates and he loves this footy club” and the strong combination he had forged with premiership captain Max Gawn, on field in the ruck and off field as Jackson’s mentor, was something both wanted to build on.

“If you know Luke you know the personality he is, he’s a pretty laid-back character. He doesn’t think too deeply about that (contract talks),” Goodwin said.

“He’s focused on being a good teammate and playing good footy. He’s still very raw, he’s got a lot to learn, he’s building an unbelievable chemistry with Max Gawn … that’s what has really excited both Max and Luke, the combination they have and what they can give our footy team and how they can help us progress.

“He’s done some amazing things in his first 30 games and that development with him and Max, we’re hoping it’s for a lot, lot longer.”

Originally published as ‘Cautious approach’ to Melbourne premiership heroes Jake Lever and Michael Hibberd