Melbourne plan to take Tom McDonald to Alice Springs for their AFL clash with Adelaide despite soreness in the star swingman’s troublesome foot.
The Demons sent McDonald for scans after he left the training track early in their Thursday morning session.
The 25-year-old missed the opening five rounds of the season with a toe injury but has returned to kick 13 goals from four games.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said McDonald was still sore following their win over Carlton and while he believed he would be on the plane, they wouldn’t take any risks.
“We’ve got a training session up in Alice on Saturday so we’ll wait and see how he goes,” Goodwin said.
“We’re pretty confident that he’ll be right to play as it stands today.
“We certainly won’t be taking a risk with Tom … but in saying that, we’re comfortable it might settle down as well.”
Both teams have won four of their past five matches to sit in the top four on the ladder but the Demons’ scalps include strugglers Carlton, Gold Coast, St Kilda and Essendon.
Goodwin bristled when questioned about the lack of quality in their recent opponents, saying the teams deserved more respect.
Sunday’s TIO Traeger Park match, which is Melbourne’s home game, will be the first time defender Jake Lever has gone up against his former club following his acrimonious departure.
Goodwin said the 22-year-old had handled the build-up well.
“Obviously when a player is playing against his old club it can be a challenging week for them individually but it certainly doesn’t distract us and what we’re trying to do,” he said.
“For Jake it’s about playing his game and keeping those emotions in check and that’s all we’re asking him to do.”