AFL 2026: Melbourne quartet in race to be fit for wildcard final against Carlton

Melbourne coach Steven King says midfielder Jack Viney is “definitely in the frame” for a return in this weekend’s wildcard final.

The Demons tackle Carlton in a do-or-die final after losing to Western Bulldogs in round 24.

Viney made a successful comeback through the VFL a fortnight ago after persistent back and achilles setbacks plagued a large portion of his season.

But, according to King, the tough on-baller is knocking hard on the selection door.

“There’s probably five, six or seven players that trained strongly over the weekend that will definitely come into the mix (and) Jack is one of them,” King said.

“(Jake) Melksham, Xavier Taylor, Max Heath, Paddy Cross – there’s a few that are ready to step up again.

“Last week was a finals-type game as well, it’s probably just more the lead-in (for Viney), playing just the one VFL game and then training.

“If we had another month up our sleeve we would have a bit more data and we’d sort of know where we’re at a bit more.

“What I do know is that Jack is a Melbourne man – he plays the game in a way that’s built for finals.

“There will be no questioning whether what he’ll bring will be up to AFL intensity, it will be how long he can sustain it.

“Then also making sure he’s ready, the temptation would be to throw him out there, but I want to make sure we look after Jack.”

The Demons are monitoring the fitness of Jake Lever, Daniel Turner and Matt Jefferson after last week’s bruising loss.

King says the trio will have until training on Thursday to prove their fitness ahead of Carlton.

“Turner will have a run around today, probably Jefferson and Lever are a bit sorer,” he said.