The reinforcements are coming for Melbourne, potentially as soon as this week.
Captain Max Gawn has missed since Round 2 with a knee injury, but star midfielder Christian Petracca says he is back in training and a shot to take on Richmond this coming Monday.
“I think he did a full training session the other day, hopefully a full training session this week and can hopefully be available for this week,” Petracca told SEN Breakfast.
“Him and Jake Lever and Ben Brown as well. I think if they get through training this week (they’ll play), which is good.”
Ben Brown was a late out as he continues to deal with a back injury, while Lever missed Gather Round with an ankle injury.
The Demons suffered a surprising loss to Essendon in Round 5, beaten comfortably in the end by 27 points.
Petracca gives the Dons credit for their performance, saying they “smashed” them around the ball.
“It was a pretty frustrating game. It was very un-Melbourne-like,” the Demons star said.
“They just smashed us. Credit to Essendon. They played four quarters of solid footy, it was a contested game, real quick and we knew going into the game they wanted to play that style and run and get us out the back and we couldn’t handle it.
“I think our contest work was just not like us and our defensive structures is something that we pride ourselves on and I think it wasn’t there which is frustrating, but we’ve got to give credit to Essendon I think.
“I think it shows how even the competition is. You take five or 10 per cent off and teams cut you up.”
Petracca has had a strong start to the 2023 season, averaging 28.6 disposals, 6.6 clearances and 6.1 inside 50s per game.