AFL 2024: Melbourne tall Jed Adams falls, Lachie Hunter and Harrison Petty step up training

A clumsy fall from a Melbourne big man caused some concern as a bunch of injured Demons trained well on a wet Wednesday. Here’s what went down.

MELBOURNE, JANUARY 17, 2024: Melbourne Football Club training at Gosch's Paddock. Lachie Hunter of the Demons. Picture: Mark Stewart

A clumsy slip from big man Jed Adams sent a small wobble through the Melbourne camp as winger Lachie Hunter pushed through a lengthy running session.

Uncapped defender Adams slipped in the soaking rain and faceplanted while in the midst of a kicking drill, with trainers called upon to check his eyesight.

Lachie Hunter runs through the rain. Picture: Mark Stewart

The 196cm West Australian called out in pain and was off the track for 15 minutes before returning to run laps with the hint of a shiner on his right eye.

The Demons confirmed there was no fear of concussion after the slip.

A sore calf kept Hunter away from the main group during Wednesday’s session but he moved strongly and ran at good speed through the rain.

The 197-game veteran could return to training with the main group as soon as Friday’s session.

He was joined away from the group by forward Matthew Jefferson and ruck Kyah Farris-White.

Harrison Petty in the action. Picture: Mark Stewart

Harrison Petty (foot) continued to ease into more ball drills and joined in for most of training before running laps while the group hit match simulation.

Recruits Shane McAdam and Jack Billings also stepped away from the main group during match-sim but ran without any issue.

Jake Melksham watched on as he maps a return from an ACL injury.

Both Clayton Oliver (personal) and Joel Smith (provisional drugs suspension) remain away from the group, with skipper Max Gawn telling Triple M on Wednesday that there was no planned timeline for Oliver’s return.

MOVING MAGNETS

A number of players were thrown around during a solid match simulation session, with Tom McDonald playing as a deep forward up against Steven May.

McDonald has been trialled back in defence at times this pre-season but worked well in tandem with Bayley Fritsch as a forward.

Tom McDonald has a kick. Picture: Mark Stewart

Fritsch has been held back at times this season after two late-season foot injuries last year but he was typically creative on Wednesday, including a brilliant bullet pass to set up Kade Chandler for a goal.

Angus Brayshaw remained in a fluoro cap, indicating he was contact-free, with no set timeline for him to take on contact, with his 2023 campaign ended by a serious concussion.

He played off halfback.

Angus Brayshaw remains in a non-contact cap. Picture: Mark Stewart

Charlie Spargo had a run in the centre square and impressed with his ball use.

The Dees promised to tweak their gamestyle slightly in 2024 to score more and were willing to bite off difficult short kicks through the middle of the ground during match sim to open up the corridor.

Melbourne fell into a trap of bombing the ball forward in a straight-sets final exit and attempted to play with more speed and pace on Wednesday, despite the wet conditions.