JACK Viney will play a VFL practice match on Saturday in an attempt to be ready for Melbourne's opening round match against St Kilda on March 22.
Viney played part of last week's game against Hawthorn after suffering an interrupted pre-season because of lingering foot and hip issues.
The father-son selection in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft was Melbourne's best player in round one last season when he made his debut against Port Adelaide.
However he played just 13 games in 2013, with a stress-related toe injury causing him to miss seven games in the middle of the season.
Viney is one of 14 listed Melbourne players who will play for Casey Scorpions against Williamstown on Saturday at Casey Fields.
Big ruckman Max Gawn is returning from a hamstring injury and utility Luke Tapscott will play after suffering a knee injury in an intra-club game three weeks ago.
The club's three draft picks from the 2013 NAB AFL Draft – Christian Salem, Jay Kennedy-Harris and Jayden Hunt – will also play.
Senior coach Paul Roos has already indicated a reluctance to throw first-year players into the fray immediately, however Kennedy-Harris is considered some chance to debut in round one.
Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said the weekend was another chance to put extra game time into some players.
"With round one positions still undecided this is another important game for a number of players," Mahoney told melbournefc.com.au.
Jesse Hogan will not play because of a back injury but the club has not completely ruled him out of round one. He remains an outside chance of playing against the Saints.
The club is yet to nominate a rookie to take the spot of Aidan Riley who is on the club's long-term injury list.
Alex Georgiou remains the most likely after a good pre-season in defence but Neville Jetta (who plays at Casey on Saturday) and Max King are not without a chance.
The club has not indicated who is most likely to be promoted.
Melbourne has not won in round one or two since 2005.
