MELBOURNE co-captain Jack Grimes is in doubt for Saturday’s clash against Hawthorn with a hamstring injury.
The Melbourne star was a late withdrawal for Sunday’s loss to Brisbane at Etihad Stadium after suffering the injury at training last Friday.
Melbourne Elite Performance Manager Dave Misson confirmed the defender is in doubt despite scans returning a positive result.
“He’s a chance to play, he’ll be a test later this week,” Misson told the club’s website.
“If it’s not this week, we’d like to say it (his return) will almost certainly be next week.”
A key player for the Demons, Grimes brings with him much-needed experience and drive in defence as well as his ability to push into the midfield.
He has averaged 19.2 disposals in 17 games this year, while he picked up a season-high 23 points in his team’s narrow loss to Richmond in Round 9.
Grimes provides a lot of drive through the midfield for the Demons, ranked in the top five at his club for uncontested possessions and rebound 50s.
The Demons could receive a boost in the midfield, however, with veteran midfielder Daniel Cross ready to return.
Cross has made a remarkable recovery from a fractured fibula.
He hasn’t played since Round 14.
The former Bulldogs has added some much-needed leadership to the Demon midfield and has averaged the fifth-most disposals of any Demon this year with 21.9.
He is ranked third on average for contested possessions (9.2), fifth for clearances (2.5) and fifth for centre clearances.
Cross has also been used as an effective tagger, shutting down some of the game’s elite midfielders including Collingwood’s Dayne Beams on Easter Monday.
