THE NEW-LOOK bye has come at the perfect time for Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs ahead of the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
Both the Demons and Bulldogs have key personnel in a race to make the decider after suffering injuries in the preliminary finals.
Therabody AFL All-Australian Steven May (hamstring) was subbed out for the Demons in their epic win over Geelong, while Bulldog Laitham Vandermeer suffered the same fate in their thrashing of Port Adelaide.
Check out the latest injury updates below heading into the Grand Final.
| PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
|---|---|---|
| Marty Hore | Knee | Season |
| Nathan Jones | Personal | Season |
| Steven May | Hamstring | Test |
| Aaron Nietschke | Knee | Season |
| Joel Smith | Hamstring | Test |
| Adam Tomlinson | Knee | Season |
| Updated: Monday, September 13 | ||
Early prognosis
There is a slight concern for May, who was substituted out of Friday night’s preliminary final win with a tight hamstring. However, his exit from the game was purely precautionary and he should be fit for the Grand Final. Smith is racing the clock to prove his fitness, though the Demons remain confident he will put himself in the selection frame. Hore, Nietschke and Tomlinson won’t play due to long-term knee injuries. Jones has returned to Victoria to be with his partner for the birth of their twins. - Riley Beveridge
| PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Bruce | Knee | Season |
| Alex Keath | Hamstring | Test |
| Toby McLean | Knee | Season |
| Laitham Vandermeer | Hamstring | Test |
| Cody Weightman | Concussion | TBC |
| Updated: Monday, September 13 | ||
Early prognosis
The Dogs expect Keath to be back for the Grand Final after he missed the preliminary with a hamstring injury. This weekend's bye before the premiership decider will give him extra time to be right, as it will Weightman, who is set to return after concussion ruled him out of the win over Port Adelaide. However Vandermeer is in doubt after being substituted out of the clash with the Power with a tight hamstring. The speedy forward has brought great energy to the Dogs since returning from his knee injury but will be racing the clock to prove his fitness. - Callum Twomey
*Placed on the club's long-term injury list
