Melbourne’s squad is set to be bolstered on their run into September with vice-captain Jack Viney and youngster Latrelle Pickett returning to their VFL side.
Viney hasn’t played since round 24 last season after battling an achilles tendon issue that forced him into surgery and then a back issue.
When asked whether Viney had to earn his spot or if he was an automatic selection once ready, coach Steven King said the star midfielder’s selection was “not about earning”.
King said Viney wouldn’t “just be given a game on reputation” after spending some time with the VFL side, who play Box Hill in their final game of the season on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s just about making sure he’s had a great runway to set him up to succeed,” King said on Tuesday morning.
“He’s coming from a back injury that has held him out for the whole season, so we have to respect what he’s been through.
“I feel like you can’t just get given a game on reputation and you have to actually perform.
“The first thing for him is just to get through a whole game”
The Demons coach also confirmed Pickett would return through the VFL this weekend after spending two weeks out with concussion.
King brushed off the Herald Sun’s reports of the club confronting Pickett over reportedly drinking in the aftermath of his concussion, labelling it a “bit of a non-story”.
“I was surprised when I heard something was in the paper today,” King said.
“He’s a first-year player who’s still just finding the balance between being a professional and a first-year player.
“From me, there was no sanction, no conversation. I was surprised it was an article this morning.”
King also said star forward Brody Mihocek had returned to light jogging after being ruled out for the season due to a neck injury during the King’s Birthday clash, but he wouldn’t “be out there with (them) this year”.
The Demons head to Adelaide to take on the Power this weekend before finishing the season at home against the Bulldogs in their bid to make top four.
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