May to test for fitness, Horne-Francis in line for return as Swans consider recruit's debut ahead of Gather Round

Jarred Cross Published April 3, 2024 at 11.30am (AWST)

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Melbourne defender Steven May is a chance to return from injury for the Demons Gather Round clash with Adelaide. (Image: Facebook)

Melbourne are set to make a call on Steven May ahead of Thursday's Gather Round curtain raiser with the Crows, while Port Adelaide expect to welcome back Jason Horne-Francis and Sydney are a chance to hand a new recruit his debut with the club.

The Demons will test May's fitness on Wednesday, less than two weeks on from the key back fracturing multiple ribs and suffering minor vertebrae damage in a brutal aerial collision with Hawthorn's Mabior Chol in round two.

*May suffered fractured ribs and vertebrae damage in round two against the Hawks. (Image: AAP*)

"Steven trained on the weekend, completed a really great session," Melbourne high performance manager Selwyn Griffith said on Tuesday.

"He then integrated into training today, obviously it was a lighter session with the short turn around, so we'll once again assess his availability on Wednesday at our captain's run."

Dees coach Simon Goodwin had previously said the club were "very confident" May would make a remarkable recovery to face Adelaide.

Port Adelaide have confirmed gun midfielder Jason Horne-Francis' availability for their match against Essendon on Saturday following a short stint on the sidelines with hamstring niggle.

The 20-year-old proved his fitness on Tuesday.

Adelaide's Wayne Milera is set for surgery after rupturing his patella tendon against Fremantle at the weekend.

"It's a gradual build (into rehab), he knows the deal pretty well, it will be a week or two at home and then we'll start working with him on strengthening everything and getting him ready for next season," Crows high performance manager Darren Burgess said this week.

Wayne Milera headed for medical treatment after this awkward landing. #AFLFreoCrows pic.twitter.com/GNhqdv22Fr
— AFL (@AFL) March 29, 2024

At the Swans, Yorta Yorta man Joel Hamling is in the running to debut for his fourth club, with former captain Dane Rampe sidelined for a period after suffering a hamstring strain in their loss to Richmond on Easter Sunday.

Hamling missed their round three match with illness, and is expected to test for availability to play West Coast this weekend.

At West Coast, Tyler Brockman will sit out for up to a fortnight after being taken out of Sunday's heavy loss to the Bulldogs following a head knock.

"Unfortunately he'll miss this week through the concussion protocols, but he is tracking really well so hopefully it's just this week," Eagles high performance manager Mat Inness said.

The former Hawk was nominated for mark of the week for big fly and sit on teammate Bailey Williams during the second quarter.

The Eagles also provided an update on Liam Ryan, who is expected to return via the WAFL next weekend after falling to a serious hammy injury in January.

"Liam Ryan has been in full training for about two weeks so another week to increase his durability and then we're hoping he plays next week," Inness said.

St Kilda have put a 5-7 week timeline ahead of Liam Henry to return from a hamstring injury suffered against Geelong in round one, while the Bombers say Tex Wanganeen is a fortnight out from returning to fitness after undergoing surgery last year for an ankle (navicular) injury picked up playing the VFL towards the end of the 2023 season.