A Sherrin has yet to be kicked for the first time in the 2026 season, but the Melbourne Demons are already battling the chaos that comes with a building injury list.
9News Melbourne’s Trent Kniese reports there are growing fears about the immediate playing future of Jack Viney, while Jai Culley is also under an injury cloud.
Viney has been battling Achilles soreness for a lengthy period of time, alarming some fans that he may not be set to return to action in time for round one.
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However, Kniese understands that the injury may be worse than first thought, with officials at the Demons headquarters under the belief Viney could be out for the season.
As per an injury report accumulated on January 14, it was expected that Viney would return to training at a full capacity as of February 6, but that was not the case.
It still remains unclear when exactly, or if, he will return to training this year.
Jack Viney of the Demons. Getty
On top of the concern around Viney, Culley left the training field on Friday with an arm injury. The club immediately sent him for scans after the incident.
Kysaiah Pickett was also absent from Friday’s training session as he was in Alice Springs for a marketing shoot with Northern Territory Tourism. Steven May was also not present as he remains on leave.
Meanwhile, Geelong star Bailey Smith is reportedly set to lose his licence after being clocked driving 125km/h near his home during the recent bushfires.
The Cats midfielder was understood to be concerned about his home and animals at the time. However, the latest indiscretion means he will lose his licence for three months.