墨尔本恶魔队副队长杰克·维尼即将在缺阵近一年后重返赛场。[1]维尼将先在周日的VFL预备队赛中出场，由凯西恶魔队对阵博克斯山队。[1]现年32岁的维尼因背部和跟腱伤势缺席了整个赛季，其最后一场比赛可追溯至2024年8月第24轮墨尔本负于科林伍德之战。[1]
主教练史蒂文·金对维尼的复出表示乐观，他表示维尼"已经进行了近一个月的全面训练"。[1]金指出，如果维尼能够顺利完成VFL比赛，球队将为其在季后赛中的AFL出场做好准备。[1]与此同时，年轻球员拉特雷尔·皮克特也将在周末通过VFL复出，此前因脑震荡缺阵。[1]
墨尔本队近期战绩强劲，已确保进入季后赛。[1]球队上周以4分优势战胜了总理府热门弗里曼图尔队。[1]随着维尼这位曾经的大满贯英雄即将回归，球队在冲击季后赛深处时阵容得到进一步补强。[1]
Melbourne Demons vice-captain Jack Viney will make his return to competition this weekend in the VFL, marking his first appearance since August 2024 after missing the entire season due to back and Achilles tendon injuries.[1] The 32-year-old veteran, who was a premiership hero for the club, will play for Casey Demons against Box Hill in a rehabilitation outing ahead of a potential AFL finals debut.[1]
Senior coach Steven Misson indicated that Viney is ready for competitive football, noting "He's been full training now for nearly a month."[1] Should Viney complete the VFL match without setbacks, he will be available for the Demons' finals campaign.[1] The timing of Viney's comeback is significant for a Melbourne squad that has secured its finals berth and defeated premiership favourite Fremantle by four points last week.[1] Fellow injury returnee Latrell Pickett, a younger player sidelined by concussion, is also scheduled to feature in VFL action this weekend.[1]