Melbourne Demons News

Colin Garland will play his first match for the Casey Scorpions since suffering a debilitating foot stress fracture in the opening round of the home-and-away season against North Melbourne at the MCG last year.

Young Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah will be out for four months after injuring his shoulder against the Crows in a NAB Challenge match.

"This is disappointing news to learn of the severity of Liam's injury. Liam met with the surgeon this afternoon, and he'll have the operation to reconstruct his right shoulder on Wednesday. At this stage, he will miss approximately 16 weeks of football," Demons football manager Chris Connolly said.

Melbourne players Liam Jurrah and Daniel Bell will have scans on Sunday to determine the extent of shoulder injuries sustained in a NAB Challenge match against Adelaide in Elizabeth.

Jurrah dislocated a shoulder when going to ground while dislocated an AC joint in a collision with an Adelaide player.

Melbourne midfielder Cale Morton will have scans on his right knee after injuring it in a marking contest running back with the flight of the ball in the fourth quarter and having to leave the ground immediately.

Dean Bailey says he underwent a searching review with the Melbourne board that lasted over three hours to earn his one-year contract extension.

"I put forward my view of the club - the list, the future," he said.

"It was about where we've come from, where we are now and where we should be. We went through the fitness, where our players should be at the end of this year.

"They really want to see where I see the club going. They took their time, and for me they came out with the result."

The contract of Melbourne coach Dean Bailey has been extended by one year, meaning he will be in charge of the club until at least 2011.

"It's a great challenge," Bailey said.

"There is still a lot of work to do but I believe we have the list in place to take us there. I will be doing my utmost and look forward to the challenge with great anticipation."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says Jack Watts is aware that stories comparing him to West Coast's Nic Naitanui are going to get written particular after Naitanui impressed in the NAB Cup opener against Essendon.

"Jack's going to go about his business. Jack wants to play as well as he can, as soon as he can for the Melbourne footy club and what's written is written and what's said is said," Bailey said.

"We're not going to be distracted by outside stories that are written - they're going to be written anyway regardless of who it is. But Jack's concentrating on developing his football and we've seen that in the last month, so that's good."

Jack Watts who is battling a back injury and may miss the start of the 2010 AFL season.

"We want his body to get through the season, so we're just going to back off and get it right," football operations manager Chris Connolly said.

Melbourne defender Jared Rivers says a strong pre-season should contribute to him having his best year at Melbourne.

"A big pre-season can build you up for the season. I've had no concerns over the pre-season and being appointed to the leadership group has been fantastic for me as well," Rivers said.

"It gives you a lot of confidence knowing you've done all of the work and it definitely gets you cherry ripe for the season ahead. I'm up for any challenge at the moment."

Melbourne's Austin Wonaeamirri says he was castigated by teammates for coming into pre-season training overweight but says he has gotten his weight under control now.

"We all make mistakes, so I put my head down and bum up and worked really hard," he said.

"I became strict with my diet and from that day I thought to myself, 'Why did I come back this heavy, when last year I was trim and fit?' But then I got my skinfolds down pretty quick."

Melbourne's first two 2009 draft picks, Jack Trengove and Tom Scully, say they are both ready to play in the first round of the NAB Cup.

"From where I was pre-Christmas to where I am now, I've made pretty good progress," Scully said.

"I've been pretty diligent in working with the fitness and weights staff, so I've been trying to get my body as right as possible for this time of the year."

"It's obviously a goal of most of the first year boys to play round one, but I'll have to see how I'm going at that stage," Trengove said.

"If I have to start off at Casey, I really don't mind. I just want to go out and earn a bit of respect from the players and get a few consistent games together later on."

Injuries to Melbourne's most experienced ruckman will mean forward Stef Martin may do the tap work during the NAB Cup.

"He went forward and kicked some miraculous goals last year and started off as a backman so he's experienced in all areas," teammate Matthew Bate said of Martin's flexibility as a player.

"It's valuable to have someone nearly 200cm be able to play anywhere on the ground."

Melbourne recruits Jack Trengove and Luke Tapscott have signed three-year deals instead of the usual two offered to new draftees.

Trengove and Tapscott competed together for South Australia in the under 18 championships with both their families becoming close even before they were drafted.

"On draft night the Trengoves had a pretty clear understanding of where Jack would go in the pecking order but they were very interested in where Luke would go," Melbourne list manager Tim Harrington said.

"They were in contact with Luke's parents the morning of the draft just to speak to them and say good luck. As it turned out he joined Jack at Melbourne."

Despite early pre-season setbacks Melbourne believes Jack Watts can be ready to make an impact from round one.

Watts had a delayed start to pre-season training because of illness and is now entering a full program after making up ground over the Christmas and New Year break.

"We're hoping he can keep improving his body and his fitness and his knowledge of what we require him to do," assistant coach Mark Williams said.

"Hopefully his ability will be able to bring him into the fold and put him up for selection early in the season ... whether he's right for round one will be up to him."

Jack Grimes reveals how he overcame two bouts of stress fractures in his back by doing unique core strength exercises which involve twitching or touching his stomach and leg muscles.

"It was pretty extreme, they said a lot of my muscles just weren't working," he said of his condition.

"It was putting pressure on my back and hips, which caused the back and groin injuries.

"The doctors said, 'We are pretty much going to have to start from scratch again with my running technique and lots of things'."

Melbourne assistant coach Mark Williams says prized recruit Tom Scully will begin full training with the squad by the end of next week.

Scully has been handled with care after having fractured his patella when playing for TAC Cup side the Dandenong Stingrays in September.

"We're very careful with all the draftees, as all clubs are, so we don't want to load them up too much," assistant coach Mark Williams said.

Melbourne assistant coach Mark Williams says Joel Macdonald has been a valuable acquisition for his pre-season training input.

"He's been very focused, has done everything right and has prepared himself really well. In the way he trains, you can see his experience, the games he's played and the way he thinks about the footy," Williams said.

"He's been working really hard in the gym and he's really been trying to make sure that his actions build respect from the other players."

Demons president Jim Stynes says his wish for 2010 is simply to get to the next Christmas.

"My hope would be that I get to next Christmas," Stynes said.

"It's pretty simple for me. I don't worry too much about things any more. When your life is threatened with disease everything else pales into insignificance.

"But I'm planning to enjoy my kids growing up and enjoy my relationship with my wife."

Feeling like he let Melbourne down this year, youngster Sam Blease plans to move on from his broken leg and deliver on his potential in 2010.

coaching staff and everyone who had put time into me and gave me an opportunity to play AFL," he said.

"I just need to prove to all of them with [my] actions this year and show them what I can do and why I was taken at pick No.17 last year."

Melbourne's heavy recruiting in the last two years has left 2007 draftee Jack Grimes with something to offer his younger teammates.

"I remember when I first came to the club I looked up to the first and second-year guys," he said.

"I feel like the young guys ... are looking to us for advice, because we've just been through what they're going through. It is good to have some guys come up to you and ask you for advice.

"I couldn't believe it when the new boys came in a few weeks ago - there are now blokes who are two years under me."

Melbourne says forward Austin Wonaeamirri will recover from a hamstring injury in time for the 2010 season.

"Although it's a setback - on the back of a really tough year last season - and it's not ideal, we've been told that if he does the right rehab, he'll recover 100 per cent," Melbourne assistant coach Josh Mahoney said.

"He'll be right to go for the season, so there are no problems there."

Austin Wonaeamirri faces another month before he can re-join full training with the Demons after injuring his hamstring.

"It was really unfortunate for Ozzie, because he was training well," Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said.

"He'll rehab and get up and get going, running and striding again in the middle of January. It's a hiccup but I expect him to be OK."

Jared Rivers is happy to finally have a proper pre-season after being selected to be part of Melbourne's leadership group.

"I had a few bad years there with injury so it's good to be recognised by your teammates and it's an exciting time for me," he said.

"I had two operations and I've never been better. It's the first pre-season I've had for five years. I'm training every session now and I feel great."

Melbourne players vote for James McDonald to continue as Melbourne captain in 2010.

"It's a huge honour to be the captain of the Melbourne Football Club," McDonald said.

"The last three years we have been through a bit of pain, but we can really see some improvement coming through in the younger players. They learned a lot about playing together last season and we're really optimistic and excited about the year ahead."

Aaron Davey and Jared Rivers have been added to Melbourne's leadership group with Davey announcing his attentions to one day captain the side.

"You'd be silly not to want to do that. We've got a great captain in James McDonald, but if the chance ever came up I'd be more than happy to put my hand up," Davey said.

"It would be something special to have an indigenous guy, the oldest Australian people, be the captain of the oldest Australian football club. It would be something unheard of before."

Melbourne draftee Max Gawn, at 208cm, will be the second tallest player in the league behind Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands.

"Back in year nine and year 10, I wasn't always the tallest bloke in the side," he said.

"Running, moving around and agility are among my strengths. I've maintained that as I've kept growing."

Melbourne has ended months of speculation by selecting Tom Scully first overall in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft ahead of South Australian Jack Trengove.

""It's obviously very exciting at the moment for myself and my family," Scully said.

"It's good to be finally drafted, and I'm really just looking forward to getting down to the club."

"We couldn't split them, unfortunately we were required to call then out one-by-one, but if it was up to me, I'd call both of them out together," Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said.

"I see them both as equals, they're going to really contribute to the Melbourne Football Club. They've got great character, and we look forward to them running out and playing next year."

The likely top pick in the NAB AFL Draft, Tom Scully, is refusing to be caught up in the drama one day out from selection day.

"I've spoken with Melbourne but I'm sure they've spoken with a number of other players as well. They've told me that I'm coming into calculations but you never know until your name gets called out," Scully said.

"I'll just have to wait and see and find out and see what unfolds tomorrow."

Hawthorn is considering drafting an experienced ruckmen, one of Chris Bryan, Cameron Cloke, John Meesen, Adam Pattison or Wayde Skipper on Thursday night.

Melbourne has delisted Michael Newton and John Meesen, but says the club is prepared to re-draft them if there is no interest from any other clubs.

Meanwhile, young Demons Clint Bartram, Kyle Cheney and Tom McNamara have agreed to contract extensions.

Melbourne's Colin Sylvia says the self-doubt that plagued him in the early days of his career is now gone.

"I didn't think I could live up to the AFL expectations and standards," Sylvia said of his early years at the club.

"It's taken six years and hopefully I've still got a lot of footy ahead of me now. I'm genuinely excited as a whole for the football club, but individually as well - I've got a very strong belief that my best footy is in front of me."

Aaron Davey has won his first Keith 'Bluey' Truscott trophy, beating Brent Moloney for Melbourne's best-and-fairest award.

Melbourne's vice-captain Cameron Bruce says personal attention from some of his teammates might help bring St Kilda's Luke Ball to the club .

"I was fortunate enough to play in the international rules with Luke and his leadership and professionalism would be unbelievable for this [young] group of players here, and he'd help us older guys too," Bruce said.

"Whatever his decision is, hopefully it involves coming down to the Demons."

Russell Robertson has thrown himself into a rigorous pre-season training program in a desperate bid to revive his AFL career.

"It was completely a situational thing at Melbourne and I understand that, but I still have lots to give," Robertson said.

"The passion to be at my best and contribute is still burning away in the guts. I still think I can kick my 40 or 50 goals a season and provide that exuberance and that excitement, because that's what I do."

Brock McLean requesting a trade to Carlton during the exchange period was a surprise to his teammates, says Cale Morton.

"It was disappointing to lose Brock, a leader of the footy club. When he's playing his best footy, he's a good player and he'll be missed," Morton said.

Melbourne has delisted Simon Buckley and Shane Valenti as it prepares for a new batch of draftees.

Brock McLean is a Blue and Melbourne has another first-round draft pick, after the two clubs finally sealed their long-discussed trade.

"The deal was very clean - Brock for 11," Demons list manager Tim Harrington said.

"We're happy that we're rebuilding the club and get ourselves some prime picks in the draft."

Jim Stynes', battling with cancer, reveals he now has a brain tumour.

"Small bump on recover, little tumour on brain, will know soon,'' Stynes wrote on Twitter today.

"Good news PETscan all clean on rest body. great support everyone xox''.

Carlton list manager Steven Icke says medical screenings must still be completed before the Brock McLean deal is done.

"We're not going to sign off on that until such time as we've done all of our due diligence," Blues list manager Steven Icke said.

"If that takes an extra little while, then we'd rather get it right and tick every box, before we get the paperwork lodged."

Brock McLean says a realisation he was not fully committed to Melbourne made him look to Carlton for a new beginning to his career.

"There were a few little contributing factors, but at the end of the day I just felt deep down in my gut that a change would be the best thing for me," he told SEN radio.

"If I wasn't 100 per cent happy, and 100 per cent committed to the footy club - which I wasn't - then I thought I was wasting the club's time and I was wasting my time".

Midfielder Aaron Davey has committed his long-term future to the Demons after signing a new four-year deal with the club.

"We are very pleased that Aaron has committed to Melbourne," Demons official Tim Harrington said in a statement.

"He is a player who is held in high regard and is a big part of the club's future success.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten says Brock McLean will more strength at the contests when he joins the Blues from Melbourne.

"It is certainly exciting to know we will be adding such a quality midfielder to our playing group in 2010," Ratten said.

"At just 23 years of age, Brock is still a young player and has great experience that will assist our young playing group. He is a fantastic in-close player and I am sure the likes of Chris Judd, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Kade Simpson and the like will benefit from his ability to get the ball out to them."

Melbourne has agreed in principle to trade Brock McLean to Carlton for the Blues' No.11 pick in the national draft.

"It is very disappointing to lose a player of Brock's calibre," Melbourne list manager Tim Harrington said.

"Once Brock made this decision it was important that we secured a commensurate trade and this has been achieved."

McLean is reported to be frustrated with his role at the success-starved Melbourne as a run-with player while also being asked to take a pay cut.

Promising Melbourne forward Addam Maric has signed with the Demons for 2010 and 2011.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says exciting forward Liam Jurrah can only build on his breakthrough season.

"He's going to be a management issue for us next year, because this year he had no pre-season and we had to make sure he played enough games to get him ready for AFL footy," Bailey said.

"He'll now start pre-season on October 12 and we see him as only getting better."

Liam Jurrah continues to excite Demons fans after kicking four goals in Matthew Whelan's final AFL game.

"The funny thing is my Dad played with Wheels and then I played with Wheels. I stayed back home with my grandmother, when my Dad was playing up in Darwin," Jurrah said.

"Just to play with Wheels in his last game is great. It would've been fantastic to get a win for Wheels, Wheats and Robbo."

"Aaron and Matty Whelan have taken me under their wing and taught me everything and I thank Matty Whelan and Aaron."

Russell Robertson announces his attention to play on next year despite being told by the Demons that his services are no longer required at the club.

"As a footballer, I don't think it's over," Robertson said.

"I still think there is some good running left in my legs.

"I think I've still got some value. If there's a club out there that requires the services of someone like me, then I will definitely put my hand up.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what I can still produce, hopefully that eventuates."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says the club will do all it can to help Russell Robertson continue in the AFL at another club.

"He's very determined and he wants the chance to play again," Bailey said.

"And if he gets that chance, we'll shake his hand and we'll wish him all the best, because he's given everything to the Melbourne footy club."

The Demons have decided to rest prized draft pick Jack Watts for the rest of the year following his recovery from thumb and groin injuries.

Watts will now focus on his schooling at Brighton Grammar and his VCE exams which are scheduled to finish in early November.

Russell Robertson's is understood to have been told by the Melbourne Demons that he will not be offered a new contract in 2010, effectively ending his career at 30 years of age in round 22 this year.

Melbourne has won the commitment of two more of its emerging players with Stefan Martin and Jack Grimes signing new two-year contracts.

"What we want to try and establish at the club is that there is never any doubt in our players wanting to stay," Melbourne general manager of list management Tim Harrington said.

"And re-signing pretty much becomes a formality, because the players are very much aware of a building momentum in the club that will provide success down the track."

Shane Valenti tallies 30 possessions against Fremantle in a performance that he hopes will help in securing him a position on Melbourne's list in 2010.

"I've got to go out on the field and just show that I want to be a part of this club going forward. I am still young, so hopefully I'll still get a shot," Valenti said.

"Every week I think this could be the last, so I may as well make the most of my opportunities and have a decent crack, because I don't want to die wondering."

Paul Wheatley and Matthew Whelan announce that they will retire at the end of the season.

"It's been exciting to see the team develop around me," Wheatley said.

"Our current list of young players will hold the club and our supporters in very good stead over the next 10 years and beyond."

"I know the club is heading in the right direction and it's going to be great to watch the next crop of young indigenous players blossom over their journey," Whelan said.

Melbourne ruckman Addam Maric has been fined $5000 for breaking the AFL's strict anti-gambling rules after placing a bet on behalf of his friend.

The AFL Players' Association had asked for portions of the fine to be suspended given that Maric had voluntarily adviced the league of his actions.

"The association believes that a suspended component of the fine was more appropriate in the circumstances of this case, where the player voluntarily advised the relevant AFL authorities that he had placed a bet on a team other than his team," association interim chief executive Matt Finnis said.

Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon will speak to the AFL about a possible coaching role within the AFL academies network, the pathway to coaching ranks adopted by Michael Voss in 2008 and Nathan Buckley this year.

Melbourne vice-captain Cameron Bruce has fractured a radius bone in his right wrist that will spell the end of his 2009 season.

Bruce suffered the injury during Melbourne's 62-point loss to North Melbourne.

Melbourne great Garry Lyon believes president Jim Stynes is the "greatest footy story ever".

"He was the worst football player in the competition when he came to Melbourne," Lyon said.

"He couldn't mark, he couldn't kick, he could run.

"He was ugly, pale skin and you reckon Liam Jurrah doesn't speak English that well - well, you should've heard Jimmy when he got here ... and he ended up becoming the best player in the competition."

Sydney Swan Michael O'Loughlin has tipped Melbourne's Liam Jurrah to become a future star.

"I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times and he's an outstanding prospect," O'Loughlin said.

"To see him come in and play the game and have an impact in the forward line for Melbourne has been outstanding. What's he's done at Melbourne has been phenomenal."

Jordan McMahon kicks a goal after the siren to win the game for the Tigers against Melbourne.

"I backed him in because he's a good kick. A few times today he made some bad decisions, but 40m out, right in front, he's pretty reliable in that situation," caretaker coach Jade Rawlings said.

"To have the courage to go back and kick that goal was excellent."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says Brock McLean and Jack Grimes will have to prove their fitness at training on Thursday with the two having missed games due to a knee and back injury respectively.

Retired Brownlow Medallist Shane Crawford has accused Port Adelaide midfielder Danyle Pearce of giving up against the Melbourne Demons while former Power player Josh Francou says the club should seriously consider trading Pearce at the end of the season.

"It looked like he had hoisted the white flag and thought 'this is too hard'," Crawford said.

"He should have used his pace and run to try to shake Jones off but instead he seemed to go into his shell, which was disappointing. He's just got to work harder in that situation."

Melbourne onballer Brad Green will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his wrist against the Cats at Skilled Stadium.

Green will undergo surgery to have the fracture pinned, and will also repair a broken knuckle in his right hand in the process.

Melbourne draftee Jack Watts will spend up to two weeks on the sidelines after chipping a bone in his hand in a VFL game.

Melbourne's Jack Grimes is only a 50/50 prospect of playing against the Swans after struggling with a back injury.

"He's had back issues earlier in the year and on the weekend he got a couple of knocks on the back and he's certainly pulled up pretty stiff," Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said.

"We'll see how he trains in our main session, but I'd say he'd probably be 50/50."

The playing future of Melbourne forward Russell Robertson remains unclear beyond this year.

"Robbo is an interesting one. His form was OK in the last couple of weeks and all of a sudden you see some opportunities being given to Petterd, Jurrah and Matthew Bate has been reasonably consistent," Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said.

"At the end of the year, we'll sit down and discuss our list management and I'm sure there'll be lots of players discussed and he'll be one of them."

Melbourne has received a boost ahead of tomorrow's clash with Geelong, getting a inspirational visit from Jim Stynes at training.

"I'm pretty good today ... this has probably been my best day. Every day I get up it's a little bit easier. Obviously I'm not used to having my lung capacity restricted," Stynes said.

"It's come really good, I'm really happy. I suppose, given the circumstances, I could not be feeling much better."

Melbourne will be without the services of Daniel Bell and Addam Maric for the rest of the year.

Bell suffered a dislocated left AC-joint against Port Adelaide last Sunday and underwent surgery on Tuesday to relocate and stabilise it.

Maric too has already undergone surgery to reconstruct his left shoulder after injuring it while playing for the Casey Scorpions in the VFL.

Liam Jurrah's four-goal performance against Port Adelaide has earned him a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.

"It's pretty amazing and I feel happy that I got the Rising Star nominee," Jurrah said.

Jurrah's teammate Aaron Davey was full of praise for the youngster.

"Liam has brought a lot of excitement and he's one of those guys who has got everything that you could ask for in a footy player," Davey said.

"He's got the pace and the awareness that a lot of people talk about us indigenous boys having, so he's been super and hopefully he can keep that form up and keep kicking goals."

Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah can excite the crowd in a similar way to Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin, according to Demon veteran Cameron Bruce.

"Every time he goes near the ball they get excited, I liken it to the way the crowd are with 'Buddy' and every time he went near the ball. It's something you don't experience too often," Bruce said.

"I was doing cartwheels in the backline, watching him go up for those marks."

Jim Stynes is discharged from hospital and is recovering at home a fortnight after revealing his diagnoses with cancer.

"I spoke to Jimmy this morning and he's in great spirits," Melbourne interim president Don McLardy said.

"He did tell me that his chest has been extremely painful. They opened his ribcage up and he did say that if he was still playing he might have had to miss this week, so he must have been in a fair bit of pain."

Melbourne president Jim Stynes describes the first steps in his battle against cancer as "a success".

Stynes said he unexpectedly went back into surgery on Sunday night to remove "some suspect cells, as a bit of insurance".

"It's been a challenging few days, but we're hoping the worst is behind us," Stynes said.

"As you can imagine, answering the same questions takes a bit of energy, but I assure you I'll let you know when I receive any results, as we begin our journey to eliminate the cancer for good."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says Colin Sylvia's suspension after striking Eagle Scott Selwood will have a big impact on the club.

"He's a player we're going to miss because he does kick goals and he does create some run through the middle of the ground which he's been really focused on this year, so ... it's disappointing it happened and we think playing the footy is more important than anything else," Bailey said.

"He's let us down, he's let the club down but I know that Col was really disappointed."

First-year player James Strauss will have a shoulder reconstruction and miss the rest of the season.

Strauss did not play for the Casey Scorpions last weekend and has since undergone reconstruction surgery on his left shoulder.

He will now undergo a three-month rehabilitation program and is expected to be available when Melbourne resumes its pre-season training in October.

Jack Grimes, who grew up a Demons supporter, helped Melbourne record only its second win of the season and in the process earned a rising star nomination.

"It was really weird when I first got there because a lot of the guys who were down there were guys I'd grown up watching on telly and barracking for," he said.

"I was a bit overawed by the whole experience but once you get to know them all you realise they are great people and easy to get along with. They've made the transition really easy."

The match review panel offers Melbourne Colin Sylvia four weeks for striking Scott Selwood, Jared Brennan gets offered one-week for headbutting Josh Carr and Troy Chaplin two weeks for striking Daniel Rich.

Jim Stynes was awake and feeling optimistic in his hospital bed yesterday afternoon, watching his beloved Demons on television defeat West Coast after an operation that doctors hope will save his life.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou praises the work Jim Stynes has done for Melbourne and wishes him a speedy recovery.

"He now faces his biggest battle ... and we wish him a speedy recovery. It's a terribly difficult time for Jim and his family," he said.

"We want nothing more than to see Jim Stynes return to health and return to being the president of the Melbourne Football Club.

"I know that through these difficult times, the football community and mainstream community will wish Jim and his family the best."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says his players can rally around ill president Jim Stynes by beating West Coast on Saturday.

"The emotion side of it is going to be the real key," Bailey said.

"We don't want the players to have played the game before they get there.

"We've got to make sure the focus is on winning the contested ball and winning the game. We don't want to overstate it and we don't want to understate it because Jim has been such a revelation to the club.

"He's brought trust and integrity beyond what we would think. We do need to rally around him and support him. There's no doubt about that and the way the players can do that is to really perform well."

Jim Stynes' wife Sam has declared her absolute faith in his fighting spirit as he enters hospital for cancer treatment.

"Never in our wildest dreams would Jim and I have realised what was around the corner," she writes in a column for the Herald Sun.

"Like a swift slap in the face that leaves a burning sting, our world unexpectedly just fell apart.

"I have been asked several times if Jim and I are putting on a brave front. Of course we are.

"What choice does one have under such circumstances, really?"

Melbourne president Jim Stynes, recently diagnosed with cancer, has spoken to fellow cancer-sufferer Adam Ramanauskas about how he dealt with his ailment.

"I had a great conversation with Adam Ramanauskas last week because he's been through something similar and it has this kind of public attention," Stynes said.

"If it was more than 12 months ago I might have been able to do it on the quiet, it would have been just a little story and it would have made it a lot easier.

"He was great and I'm sure a lot of people will want to send me best wishes notes and I love hearing from people but I need to really focus on me."

An emotional Melbourne president Jim Stynes reveals he is suffering from cancer and will take a break from his position with the Demons.

"I thought it might just be located in that one area but it's not, it's spread quite a bit and I have a journey to go on," Stynes said.

"I need to understand it and work with it, I've got some of the best people in the country working with me.

"I'm not walking away but I will be taking a break and I'll need to take the rest of the season off," he said.

Melbourne players have vowed to take inspiration from Jim Stynes' cancer battle on to the playing field.

"Every one of us has to step up now and take a bit of Jimmy with us," captain James McDonald said.

"He's given so much to this footy club, and he has a big challenge now. We also have to stand up to the challenge."

Channel Nine is reporting that Melbourne president Jim Stynes is stepping down from his position due to ill health.

Melbourne Football Club vice president Don McLardy said tonight he could not comment about Stynes.

"No, I can't actually, mate, but certainly tomorrow there'll be an announcement," he said.

AIS-AFL high performance coach Jason McCartney has called for people to lay off Jack Watts.

"Jack Watts has copped a bit of heat unnecessarily," McCartney said on Wednesday at Docklands, the venue for the final day of the NAB AFLUnder-18 Championships.

"You can't compare him to Nic Naitanui, or Daniel Rich. Daniel Rich has played in two premierships for Subiaco - and has a big, strong body. Nic Naitanui played a year of senior football last year.

"Jack Watts is a schoolboy, who has played four TAC Cup games. It's hard to really compare those boys who get the opportunity to play some senior footy, it probably does help them."

Melbourne's Brad Green has indicated media hysteria surrounding draftee Jack Watts' form was unwarranted and irrational.

"Jack's in the papers for all the wrong reasons," Green said.

"He's a competitive kid and he's going to be a great kid and he's going to be a great footballer for our footy club.

"No doubt, Jack will play fantastic games for this footy club in the coming years."

While he is "1000 per cent" not interested in the current vacancies in AFL coaching ranks, Garry Lyon still has not ruled out becoming a coach one day.

"I'm a footy head. I love footy. It would be wrong to say never. But I don't want people to get the wrong idea. I'm not putting my hand up for a coaching job in the short term, and certainly not from a Melbourne point of view," he said.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey has shrugged off accusations that No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts has been blooded too soon.

"Jack's a high-profile player now he's played two games so he's obviously going to be scrutinised," Bailey said.

"Management of him over the next couple of weeks and the rest of the year is going to be important.

Melbourne is confident they are managing the career of Jack Watts well, and coach Dean Bailey said the club won't be affected by media scrutiny.

"That just comes with the territory. Jack's a high-profile player... so he's obviously going to be scrutinised. That's what comes with playing AFL footy now," he said.

"He gets the focus because he's the No.1 draft pick. Management of him over the next couple of weeks and the rest of the year is going to be important.

"We understand the player, we understand the pressure on him, and we understand his schooling commitments.

"None of that's changed how we're going to manage him. We'll do the best for Jack and the club."

Essendon has confirmed Henry Slattery is in the box seat to replace Mark McVeigh in the side to face Carlton at the MCG tomorrow night.

McVeigh was suspended for one-match for striking Melbourne's Jared Rivers.

Midfielder Mark McVeigh is 'hugely disappointed' to miss the Carlton blockbuster after being suspended for striking Melbourne's Jared Rivers, says Essendon coach Matthew Knights.

"Mark is a very passionate young man; he's very tribal, and I know he loves big clashes against Collingwood and Carlton and teams like that," Knights said.

"He's a hugely disappointed young man at the moment and particularly because he hasn't played a lot this season with injury.

"He's missed a lot of football and he feels pretty low at the moment."

Melbourne is committed to playing Jack Watts in the seniors whenever it reasonably can this season and says early sceptics of its schoolboy No. 1 draft pick should bite their tongues.

"From what we've seen thus far we couldn't be any more pleased," Demons football manager Chris Connolly said yesterday.

"Jack's played against Collingwood in a big game, against Essendon in a big game, and I don't think he's looked out of place at all.

"We won't see the best of Jack for four years. Tell me what Jack Watts is doing in four years' time, then make comment.

"I expect at some stage during the year he may be rested, he may not. It just depends how he's coping."

Being run down by Alwyn Davey in last Friday night's 43-point loss was all part of Jack Watts' steep learning curve.

Describing Davey as "a little lightning bolt", Watts said of the incident: "I looked behind me and I thought I had 10 metres and before I knew it I was on the deck."

"I'm still learning, having only played two games, so I still have plenty of learning to do," Watts told BigPond Sports Weekend.

"I've got to learn from that and pick up the pace. Hopefully, in the next few weeks I won't make that same mistake again."

Melbourne forward Matthew Bate says the loss to Essendon hurt more than any other this season.

"It was a big stage and everyone's watching and everyone rates us on that," he said.

"People aren't going to rate us on that, it's that simple.

"The one thing that cuts me deep is that you feel like you're letting the coaches down.

"They give everything, and tell us how to play and provide the game plan; it's just the players who aren't applying themselves 100 per cent of the time."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey hopes his team has unveiled a forward who can do some "special things" after a promising debut from Liam Jurrah.

Jurrah was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing performance from the Demons, who lost by 48 points to Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

"It was good for LJ to show a little bit," Bailey said.

"I think it's good for him, confidence for him. It was a big occasion for LJ. He had a couple of nice chases, but his aerial stuff will only get better.

"I think he showed tonight that he has got a reasonable football brain. Hopefully we have uncovered a quick forward who can do some special things."

Essendon coach Matthew Knights will be sweating on the match review panel's verdict after Mark McVeigh was reported for striking Melbourne's Jared Rivers.

"I must admit I'd just come down from the box just before the break and I saw the scuffle break out," Knights said after the game.

"I was just preferring that our boys kept themselves out of trouble. That wasn't the case.

"I haven't seen the incident live yet, so I'll have a look at that when I go home tonight. I've just got to see how it looks."

Melbourne midfielder Brock McLean says tonight's clash against Essendon is all about redemption after the club's Queen's Birthday thrashing.

"There is a lot of redemption to it. Especially after our performance last week, and when you do have a pretty bad performance, you want to get on and try to redeem yourself pretty quickly," McLean said.

National recruiting manager Barry Prendergast will watch his fourth debutant from last year's drafts when Liam Jurrah takes the field against Essendon.

"It's a tick in the sense that you've got another drafted player playing senior AFL footy. I'd like the ticks to be bigger when they play 50 AFL games and 100 AFL games - that's what it's all about," Prendergast said.

"We've got an exciting young group of players, who are keen to play AFL footy and be exposed, but there is a big difference between being exposed and playing 100 AFL games and being an influential player.

"So the story with Liam Jurrah is his background and where he's come from, so from that sense, we can tick off the challenge as a footy club and that's a tick for us that we got him to this point. But roll Friday night, we're hoping for bigger ticks."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says Jack Watts is looking to make a bigger impact in his second game after a disappointing debut.

"I know deep down Jack was pretty unhappy with the way he played," Bailey said.

"I know tomorrow, without the extra pressure of his first game, I think Jack is going to show something.

"He's a very proud player and he was disappointed with his game, but he understands the benefits of playing the game. He's pretty keen to play well tomorrow."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says Liam Jurrah's goalkicking form in the VFL prompted his elevation to AFL.

The indigenous 20-year-old forward has kicked 11 goals for the Casey Scorpions in the past three matches.

"His form at Casey in the last two weeks has been good and he's shown some really good signs at training, so the players are excited for him. And even though he might not say much, hopefully tomorrow we'll see a bit of speed and excitement," Bailey said.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says he will not turn his focus to gaining priority selections at this year's NAB AFL Draft despite his team posting a 1-10 win-loss ratio at the halfway point of the season.

"We've got 11 games to go and our intention is to try and pick a team that'll give experience to young players and still give us a chance to win the game," he said.

"You coach to win and players play to win - that's not going to change, hasn't changed this year and it's not going to change in the future."

Melbourne could unveil its fifth debutant of the 2009 season in the form of exciting forward Liam Jurrah.

"Liam's form in the last couple of weeks has been pretty good, so he's obviously under some consideration for this week," Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said.

Melbourne president Jim Stynes says Jack Watts' debut against Collingwood will now take some pressure off the 18-year-old.

"When I played my first game, no-one knew. It was down at Geelong at Kardinia Park," Stynes said.

"I suppose Jeff White was our biggest recruit in a long time. But with Jack playing now it probably takes a bit of pressure off, because he can now go back and get himself bigger and better and it'll come."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says number one draft pick Jack Watts will play his second game in a fortnight after Monday's eight-possession debut against Collingwood.

"It's just good that Jack's played a game and ... got it out of the way, so he can look forward to his next game," Bailey said.

"He'll learn from today and he'll understand the speed and the pace of the game, as most players do after their first game.

"He was OK, but it was always going to be a tough job for him to come out and play his first game."

Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien senses he is about to witness up close the start of a memorable career for Melbourne forward Jack Watts in his debut game.

"I actually look forward to seeing him out there, because from all reports he's going to be a great player,'' O'Brien said.

"I feel privileged to be playing in the first game he plays - good luck to him, I wish him all the best.''

Melbourne has signed a 30-year deal for training facilities, ending a situation Gary Lyon describes as a "disgrace".

The Demons' today announced a deal with the City of Casey and their VFL affiliate the Casey Scorpions that will see a $2.1 million development of Casey Fields in Cranbourne.

"It's a disgrace and farce that Melbourne's had no home," Lyon said. "Our footballers have been carrying this massive weight around their necks.

"There's time we literally had to beg for a place to train, so you can see how magnificent this has been."

Jack Watts, who will make his much anticipated debut on Monday, missed a training session and stayed away from the club early this week as a precaution against the spread of swine flu.

Jack Watts reveals that he suffered a bloody initiation in the boxing ring against Brock McLean three weeks after arriving at Melbourne.

"I didn't really know the boys too well," Watts said.

"That was probably the best thing for me to do to try to gain a bit of respect. You've got to go through that process when you first get to the club.

"I'd never had a fight in the school yard or pulled the gloves on. A push and shove on the footy ground, that's about it."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says there is a definite possibility No.1 draftee Jack Watts could play out the rest of the season with the Demons.

"What he's shown over the last couple of weeks, he deserves the chance to play this weekend. It happens to be Queen's Birthday and that's great," Bailey said.

"If you're a marketing person, you'd think that's brilliant, but I can tell you it had more to do when he was ready to play. He needed to put a couple of good games together, which he has done."

No.1 draft pick Jack Watts says he is ready to play his first AFL match on Monday against Collingwood at the MCG.

"I couldn't believe it when I got the call from 'Bails'. I've worked pretty hard over the last few months and now to run out and just be with the boys on game day will be a great thrill."

"I'm obviously very lucky. It's going to be a massive game and I wouldn't have played in front of 2000 people, let alone 70,000, so it's definitely going to be an exciting game to be a part of and hopefully I can just do my bit for the team."

No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick Jack Watts will make his AFL debut for Melbourne on Monday, when the Demons host Collingwood at the MCG in the traditional Queen's Birthday encounter.

The door is still open for a Jack Watts debut on Monday.

Melbourne's match committee will today discuss the merits of unleashing its No. 1 draft pick against Collingwood in the Queen's Birthday clash.

Injuries have forced Demon defender Jared Rivers to re-evaluate football and the place it has in his life.

"Definitely the first couple of years, I thought: How good is this? I was playing in wins and finals and having a good season and then to get struck down with injury, I didn't realise how mental AFL really was," Rivers said.

"It's mentally challenging, as is the physical side of it, but being injured all of the time, mentally, it can be a very lonely place. Your job at a footy club is to play footy and when you're not doing that, it's definitely a tough time.

"I've definitely learned a lot of things from that. You've just got to jump on the front foot - you can't expect things to happen, so you've got to look outside as well to get help and recovery. It's definitely challenging, which I don't think people realise."

Reformed gambler David Schwarz knows a high-profile player with gambling problems and has urged him to seek help.

"When someone named me in a newspaper article, it was the best thing that could've happened to me. I hope the player read what was in yesterday's paper and asks for help," he said.

"Footballers are told how good they are, they get clapped, they are wonderful, they are adored, they need someone in their corner to tell them not what they want to hear but what they have to hear."

Melbourne ruckman Mark Jamar could bolster the side's ruck stocks against St Kilda this week after returning from a foot stress fracture.

Melbourne remains coy on when top draft pick Jack Watts will make his senior debut.

"Jack's game on the weekend was okay [for Casey Scorpions]. He'll get another game this weekend at VFL level and if he plays well, then we'll consider him," Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said.

"He's a very busy man, Jack, he's got a lot of things going on in his life, let me tell you.

"The challenge for Jack is just to get some consistency and to manage his time, which he's doing really well and hopefully he'll play well in the VFL this weekend.

"That'll put some pressure on us, not just for the following week, but for the weeks after that. When he's ready, we'll pick him and when that time comes, we'll let you know."

Demon Brock McLean says with his personal life in order he can now go on and captain the club.

"With the leadership group and the way the club has evolved over the past few years in terms of the leadership group and our leadership system, I think I'm heading in the right direction," McLean told One HD's One Week at a Time.

"If I'm the right person for the job, whenever 'Junior' (McDonald) steps down or decides that he doesn't want it, then I would love to do it."

Jack Watts is set to debut in coming weeks, but last year's No. 1 draft pick is yet to force the Demons' match committee's hand.

Watts, who has been told he will be given his senior debut when he deserved it, has not yet torn a VFL game apart.

"He played a role pushing up at the ball on the weekend and didn't kick any goals, but he's getting his hands on the ball," Demons football manager Craig Notman said.

"We are sure he will get his chance at some stage soon, but he won't be rushed by the club."

Melbourne leadership group member Brad Green has urged teammate Colin Sylvia to use his best-on-ground 37-disposal and four-goal performance against Hawthorn as a launch pad for the rest of his career.

"Col's a kid who's been around for a long time," Green said.

"We needed him to show something this year - we see a lot of potential in him.

"But potential only lasts for so long, and we need him to start producing consistent performances. Hopefully that's the start of it.

"He was in everything. He was in the midfield, across half-forward and he kicked his goals, you can't ask for much more."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey pleased with career-best display by Demon Colin Sylvia against the Hawks.

"Col played well, which was good. He had a three or four-minute burst there where he really played well, so it's good to see. Since I've been here, he's worked really hard on the track, so it's nice for him to get a bit of a reward," Bailey said post-match.

"His pre-season was good, and he showed signs in the last six or seven games last year and he's worked really hard off field."

Hawthorn's Beau Muston will finally play his first AFL game on Sunday after three knee reconstructions.

"You can only probably endure, at 21 or 22 years of age, a certain amount of mishap before you consider just tossing it all in. But such is the character of the lad he has persevered and is very diligent with his rehab," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

Aaron Davey says Indigenous Round is an opportunity for him to celebrate his culture and represent his people.

"It's a great recognition not only for myself but for a lot of the Aboriginal guys that are playing in the AFL these days," he said.

"What it also does is give us an opportunity to not only represent ourselves, but our families and our people up in Darwin and also my people in the Port Lincoln and Ceduna area. It's one that I'm proud to be a part of."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says Brad Green has recovered from his broken jaw and is ready to play this week.

"He's one of our elite players, so I'm sure Brad will be playing on the weekend," Bailey said.

Russell Robertson is adamant his colourful goal celebrations have not been shelved despite a strangely subdued performance at Subiaco on Sunday.

"There's no truth at all to it. I haven't been told to stop at all," Robertson said.

"To be completely honest with you, I had the flu all week leading into the West Coast game. Before the goal where Matthew Bate kicked it to me and I ran in, I was absolutely stuffed.

"I go down and lean on my knees. I was ready to throw up. I was all dizzy. I can understand exactly what you're thinking, but that is the truth."

Melbourne's Colin Garland says he is aware of the setbacks of navicular fracture victim Matthew Egan from Geelong and will take his time returning.

"I found out the day of the Egan article, and it showed the diagram of his injury and that's when it hit me," Garland said.

"It was pretty devastating at first. But it made me realise I have to take some time out for this and not try to rush back.

"Obviously, you can see what happens if it doesn't heal properly."

Melbourne's Clint Bartram has seen firsthand the pain cancer can bring to a family, playing for the Demons despite grieving for the loss of his father.

Melbourne has lost John Meesen for the year to a foot stress fracture while Austin Wonaeamirri requires knee surgery which will keep him out for six weeks.

Former AFL CEO Wayne Jackson has sparked a furious reaction from North Melbourne by suggesting the club merge with Melbourne.

Melbourne's Brad Green is making good progress in his recovery from a broken jaw and hopes to return in a fortnight.

Melbourne Demons president wants his No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts to play by round 12 but Demons coach Dean Bailey wants a more conservative approach to the prized recruit.

"It's delicate. I could sit here and say that's it, he'll play on such and such date. And everyone wants a date and time," Bailey said.

"But we have to keep Jack in a mode where we see regular progression. We also have to assess him week to week because the worst thing that could happen is he starts to get tired."

Melbourne defender Colin Garland is expecting to return from a foot injury but no timeframe has been placed on the young Demon.

"We're just taking it as it comes and making sure it's right," Garland said.

"They haven't really told me what round they want me back this year."

Melbourne has given No.1 draft pick Jack Watts the green light to play for Brighton Grammar this weekend.

Dees defender James Frawley believes Melbourne's performance against powerhouse Geelong shows the club is becoming more competitive.

"They're a great team, but they've got two arms and legs and they bleed like everyone else, so we just went out with that attitude and tried to put the pressure on them, as much as we could," he said.

"It was a good start early in the game, but we probably went away from that a little bit.

"We'll take positives out of the game. They're a great team, but hopefully we've got a bit of respect back."

Melbourne president Jim Stynes has challenged Hawks counterpart Jeff Kennett and Sam Newman to get hands-on umpiring experience.

"You look at what Jeff Kennett said towards umpires, and to me that's ridiculous. Umpires have to be a no-go zone," Stynes said.

"I would have thought, 'Jeff, go and get to know the umpires, go and see it from their side of fence and understand what they have to go through', so that we can attract great people who make great decisions because it is really tough out there.

"I would love to see Sam Newman get out there and try and umpire a game and put the cameras on him and see how he goes. He tries to make out it's so easy. It's not easy to make decisions in a split second."

A lunchtime football game has left Melbourne youngster Sam Blease with a fractured fibula after falling awkwardly from a tackle.

Melbourne president Jim Stynes has backed coach Dean Bailey's brand of football after last week's clash against Adelaide was labelled ugly.

"While Adelaide was criticised as being a poor game, we could have snatched victory in the last quarter," Stynes said.

"I understand we have to put on entertainment. But at the moment when you have a team that is struggling because of the age group playing and the lack of depth, I would rather support a team that fights out games rather than playing a style of play that means you could get blown out of the water."

Jared Rivers has chosen to contest his fine for making negligent contact with an umpire.

The match review panel yesterday fined him $1950 for making contact with umpire Justin Schmitt during the third quarter of Melbourne's loss to Adelaide on Sunday.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey has lauded the courage of run-with midfielder Clint Bartram to play against Adelaide on Sunday night, after Bartram’s father tragically passed away earlier in the day.

"He was adamant that he wanted to play," Bailey said.

"He desperately wanted to play. In the end, the best way for Clint to reward his father passing was to play and he was fantastic today. Not many 21-year-olds could do what he did."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says forward Colin Sylvia needs to live up to his promise.

"I like to think Colin might get on a bit of a roll from now on, regardless of the conditions on Sunday; and he's got a big body so conditions are not a concern for him to perform well," Bailey said.

"I think it's fair enough that Colin should really start to play the standard that I think most people are hoping he will. He's worked very hard, so he's under no illusions."

Dean Bailey today admitted he was tempted to recall goalkicker Russell Robertson for Sunday's game against Adelaide at the MCG.

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't (tempted). But I think he needs another game," Bailey said.

"I spoke to Russell a couple of weeks ago and said I thought he was a couple of full games and a couple of weeks of training away. He played and he trained well this week.

"He has pulling up very well after the games. It was a big test last week playing at night at Casey, how his achilles pulled up the next day and he was good.

"So another full game this weekend and, if he trains well and pulls up well, I think he would be a good chance for next week."

Brad Green has had surgery on his broken jaw and will miss up to six weeks after plate and screws were instered to realign his mandible bone.

The Demons were thrilled with the second-term spark provided by Colin Sylvia on Sunday against Richmond when they notched their first win for season 2009.

"We started him in the middle and he usually plays forward, and he played a lot more through the midfield. I thought he was great yesterday," teammate Brent Moloney said of Sylvia.

"There's been a bit of pressure on him. He was a No.3 draft pick, but to see him play like he did yesterday is what we want.

"It was great to see."

Melbourne forward Michael Newton says it was an awesome feeling to be involved in the final quarter of his side's eight-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Sunday, the Demons first win of the year for 2009.

"It was a good win and it was a great feeling out there. We all played together well and it all seemed to work well for us," he said.

"There hasn't been many times in the last couple of years where we've been in that position, so up at three-quarter time was very exciting. The boys were pumped.

"Personally, I ran out of legs a little bit, but it was good the boys were able to finish out the game and we had a big focus before the game to run out every minute."

A sickening facial injury to Brad Green has taken the gloss off the Demons' stirring eight-point win against Richmond at the MCG.

Demon Brad Green will miss six weeks after copping a broken jaw against Richmond.

Green sustained the injury after clashing with Tiger youngster Alex Rance at the 24-minute mark of the opening term. He immediately left the field and was taken to Epworth Hospital.

It's been a long time coming, but anxious Melbourne fans will get their first look at prized No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts when he runs out for the Casey reserves on Saturday.

"Jack's going to be a week-to-week proposition. This is the first game he's played for six months, maybe eight months, so we'll just see how he pulls up and that will determine his training next week," Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said.

"We'll see how Jack goes tomorrow and that will determine where Jack plays the following week."

Russell Robertson has spoken of the pain of copping jibes in the street for being part of the "pathetic" club of the AFL.

Port Adelaide won't contest suspensions to Dom Cassisi and Peter Burgoyne.

Cassisi was offered a one-match ban for striking Melbourne's Lynden Dunn while Burgoyne was given a two-match suspension for kneeing Demon Aaron Davey during the Power's victory at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

Cassisi and Burgoyne were each given three-match bans, reduced by early guilty pleas.

Melbourne believes he is still a couple of months away from playing, but if it were up to Jack Watts, he would run out for the Demons today.

"I'd love to get out there as early as I can, but it's not up to me," Watts said.

"All I can do is put my best foot forward for Casey and leave it up to them. It's the most frustrating thing, watching footy, I can't stand it, to be honest. You just want to get out there and make an impact."

Melbourne young gun Jack Watts will play his first game for the year next weekend when the Casey Scorpions take on Port Melbourne.

Melbourne skipper James McDonald has withdrawn from the Demons' side to play Port Adelaide on Sunday with a hamstring injury.

The AFL has renewed calls for players to avoid umpire contact amid revelations of a serious spinal injury to experienced whistle-blower Mathew Nicholls.

Nicholls, 31, was pole-axed after backing away from a centre bounce, with Richmond's Shane Tuck making contact to his back after tangling with Demons opponent Brock McLean.

Melbourne forward Russell Robertson has pulled up well after his first match since June.

Robertson suffered a serious achilles injury against St Kilda in round 10 last year, but played his first match for Casey Scorpions against Coburg Tigers in the final round of the VFL practice matches last weekend.

Robertson booted a goal in his comeback and Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said the high-leaping goalkicker was in "a bubbly mood" after pulling up OK.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey is adamant No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts won't be rushed in for round three.

"We're very committed to ensuring the work they've done has been good," Bailey said.

"Jack's more advanced than what Sam (Blease) is, but we're still on course to develop them. And when they're ready and they've been physically challenged and if they're good enough, they'll play.

"We won't be rushing them in."

Former Richmond president Clinton Casey has been given just weeks to settle claims by high profile Tiger players.

Richmond stars Nathan Brown, Matthew Richardson and Kane Johnson are asking for a minimum of $300,000 from Casey with the threat of taking him to court if their demands are not met.

Casey, and Richmond, only recently settled out of court a dispute involving another ex-player, Ben Holland.

Holland gained the confidential settlement, believed to be more than $100,000, after lodging documents with the Supreme Court seeking $530,000 from business and investment opportunities that he claimed were not delivered.

Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rohde says the decision to take Daniel Motlop's charge to the tribunal was difficult.

Port Adelaide's 'calculated gamble' at the AFL tribunal paid off on Tuesday night when star forward Daniel Motlop was cleared of striking Eagle Adam Hunter.

Melbourne's Aaron Davey dreams of playing with his five Indigenous teammates in the one side.

"It'd just be a special game for me. There is a special bond between the six of us and it's something you can't buy. Those guys are mine and Matty Whelan's little brothers – we're just a close bunch of guys," he said

Melbourne president Jim Stynes yesterday condemned the attack on Nathan Jones' father Brad after Saturday's MCG clash against Collingwood, but said the game was safer than other codes.

Demon Nathan Jones is shocked and angry over the alleged assault of his father outside the MCG.

Melbourne president Jim Stynes has called for perpetrators of violence at football matches to have their club memberships revoked.

Stynes made the call on Monday in the wake of the post-match incident where Nathan Jones’ father was assaulted outside the ground.

Brad Jones suffered a broken nose as he was leaving the ground on Saturday after the match between Collingwood and Melbourne, and was taken straight to hospital.

Emerging Melbourne defender Colin Garland will miss up to four months of football after a stress fracture was discovered in his right foot.

The 20-year-old pulled up sore from the Demons' 34-point loss to North Melbourne last Sunday and will have surgery on his navicular bone on Monday.

Melbourne's Brad Green says his side does need to improve this year but must win games as well.

Melbourrne maps a program for Jack Watts that deals with clashes between his club and school obligations.

Jim Stynes says a new agreement between Melbourne and the MCC could make the partnership the strongest sporting club in the world.

Anthony Rocca and Heath Shaw both trained strongly on Wednesday, fuelling hopes they will return for Collingwood's clash with Melbourne.

The Melbourne football club has entered into an agreement to become a 'sporting section' of the Melbourne Cricket Club.

After a break of 29 years, the Melbourne Football Club has again become an official sporting section of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC).

Melbourne forward Russell Robertson will make his long-awaited return to football on the weekend when he plays for the Demons' VFL affiliate Casey Scorpions.

Robertson severely injured his achilles playing against St Kilda in round 10 last year, forcing him to miss the rest of the season.

Melbourne forward Austin Wonaeamirri will be sidelined for another month after suffering a setback during his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury originally sustained on February 21.

His latest hamstring injury came during a training session last week.

Adelaide forward Jason Porplyzia says Todd Viney's influence on the club's defence helped them to a round one win against Collingwood.

"Todd has brought across some good ideas, but he's also confirmed and substantiated that what we're doing is right. He's confirmed that our type of play is working," Porplyzia said on Monday.

"We've re-jigged our zone-type play a little bit. It was a process that we were working on last year and over the pre-season our roles have become a bit more defined."

Melbourne youngster Ricky Petterd says he is relishing the opportunity to play up forward, despite being a noted half-back/midfielder.

Petterd played just his 12th AFL match in Melbourne's 34-point loss to North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday. After two injury-riddled seasons with the Demons, he impressed inside 50 with a classy checkside goal and 16 touches.

"I like it a lot. It's challenging in a way with the set-ups. I missed doing the punch instead of the mark, but I enjoy it," Petterd said.

Dean Bailey says four debutants and the return of several senior players are positives for the Melbourne football club.

Matthew Bate is Melbourne's heir apparent at full-forward in the shadow of Demon great, David Neitz.

Dean Bailey has warned Colin Sylvia, declaring players who can't conform to AFL behavioural standards risk having their careers curtailed.

Jared Rivers is looking forward to adding some experience to a green Demons defence after two horror years with injury.

Skipper James McDonald has backed embattled teammate Colin Sylvia, despite recent off-field indiscretions.

The Demons say second-year utility Jack Grimes, who has impressed during the pre-season, will be out for up to a month with a stress injury in his lower back.

Melbourne's Liam Jurrah is a "trainee elder" for whom English doesn't roll off the tongue.

Joseph Gutnick has broken his silence on Melbourne's plight, indicating he could re-emerge as a financial saviour.