Patrick Dangerfield has travelled to Adelaide a day early as doubts remain about the Geelong star’s fitness for the AFL blockbuster against Adelaide.
The Brownlow Medallist flew across on Wednesday, with the Cats prepared to wait until only hours before the Friday night clash before making the call on whether he plays.
Coach Chris Scott rates Dangerfield only a 40 per cent chance to recover in time from the foot injury he suffered during last Saturday’s win over Hawthorn.
The injury hobbled Dangerfield, but he played as a deep forward and kicked a match-winning 5.6.
“It’s improved each day, (but it’s) kind of important to be able to run if you’re playing footy,” Dangerfield told the Nine Network.
As Crows star Rory Sloane also tries to recover in time from concussion, teammate Josh Jenkins is in doubt because of food poisoning.
Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney could make a stunning early return from foot surgery for Saturday’s match against Port Adelaide at the MCG.
While the Demons will take no risks with Viney, they could also regain Jack Watts, Christian Salem and Dom Tyson from injury.
Port expect their in-form ruckman Paddy Ryder to recover in time from a twisted ankle and Matthew Broadbent is set to return from injury.
Key forward Travis Cloke is a big chance to return for the Western Bulldogs in their Cairns match on Saturday against Gold Coast.