Despite Melbourne’s 21-point win over Sydney, they will be hoping for positive news on Jake Melksham’s knee injury and Bayley Fritsch’s ankle after a scare, AFL Finals

Despite Melbourne’s convincing 21-point victory over Sydney, the win may come at a cost, with Demons’ small forward Jake Melksham suffering an innocuous knee injury, while star forward Bayley Fritsch’s ankle caused concern in his return match.

Despite his ankle troubles, Fritsch played out the game and booted a monster five goals, but will most likely go for scans on the ankle he injured in July that saw him ruled out for seven weeks.

“Not ideal, I went up in a marking contest and the foot got a little bit sore. It was good enough to go back out there,” Fritsch told Channel 7 post game.

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As for Melksham, Melbourne will send him for scans and hope for the best but expect the worst, unable to rule out an ACL injury which would cancel him out of the Demons’ finals run.

“Not too sure, it’s a little bit sore. Hopefully he gets some scans and hopefully he’s alright,” Fritsch said.

Melbourne defender Jake Bowey also came off second best from a clash with Swan Will Hayward that stirred up an existing shoulder injury but managed to play out the match.

As for what is next, Melbourne will be looking to right the wrongs of their straight sets exit from last year’s finals series, after losses to Sydney and Brisbane.

Fritsch believes the Demons’ squad was able to absorb the pressure and high intensity of the SCG, a feat he believes will hold his side in good stead come September.

“To come out on top leading into finals, I think it’s going to be great for us,” he said.

“Our backs, Christian Salem, Steven May, Jake Lever really stood tall under some high pressure and the crowd going nuts.

It comes as the Swans still impressed to send off their champion Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin who was watching on after his lap of honour, with Errol Gulden collecting a massive 42 disposals.

The Demons will face Collingwood at the MCG in the first qualifying final, with the winner advancing to a home preliminary final and a week off.

Meantime, Sydney will face either Carlton or St Kilda in an elimination final.

 

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