“I can’t see him playing again this year”: Lyon’s doubt over Viney

Melbourne champion Garry Lyon says he can’t see Demons co-captain Jack Viney returning this season.

Viney hasn’t played since Round 16, after he was a late withdrawal from Melbourne’s Round 17 clash with the Western Bulldogs with stress in his toe.

According to Lyon, it would be a surprise to see Viney play again in 2018, when you consider the circumstances surrounding the 24-year-old.

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“I have no information, I’m reading between the lines,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“He hasn’t started running. He has missed a month of footy, he would have been doing his strength and conditioning work, he hasn’t started running.

“Fresh in their minds will be this time last year where they played him in the last couple games to try and get the Demons into the finals and he had a relapse.

“They won’t be going down that path again. I just can’t see it.

“I can’t see him playing again this year.”

Viney didn’t play until Round 9 this season, after battling numerous setbacks with his troublesome foot.

In seven games this year, Viney is averaging 25.3 disposals, 12.6 contested possessions, 6.9 clearances and 5.9 tackles.