Demons skipper Viney on track to face Geelong in knock-out final

Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney says he is well and truly on track to feature in the club’s blockbuster Elimination Final against Geelong.

Viney has had an injury interrupted season with persistent foot problems limiting the hard-nosed midfielder to just seven games, with his last match coming back in Round 16.

The 24-year-old will join in with the main group for this weekend’s training session as he continues to increase his training loads ahead of next Friday's knock-out clash at the MCG.

“We’re on track to play in the first final which is exciting,” Viney told SEN’s Time On.

“The body’s pulling up really well from sessions so I’ve officially graduated from rehab I suppose.

“The last time I had a stress fracture in my third metatarsal and this time I’ve had a bone stress in my third metatarsal which is a less severe symptom.

“It gets to a point where it starts inhibiting your ability to be able to walk, run and jump, so it’s definitely something you can’t keep playing otherwise you’ll break it.”

The sudden-death fixture is the Demons’ first finals appearance since 2006, and Viney is expecting another close finish against the Cats after their two nail-biting encounters during the home-and-away season.

“It’s going to be an exciting contest,” he added.

“We’ve had some great battles with Geelong this year and they have both been pretty spectacular finishes.

“We’re hoping to have a good game, we’re in full preparation mode and the boys had a couple of days off post season just to freshen up a bit.

“Now we’re back into it and looking to prepare for a big game.”

Melbourne and Geelong have previously met seven times in finals with the Cats ahead 5-2 on the win-loss count.