Veteran Melbourne Football Club midfielder Jack Viney is clinging to his goal of returning to the pitch this season, even as a persistent combination of Achilles and back injuries has kept him sidelined and left his comeback timeline shrouded in uncertainty.
At 32, Viney has been unable to join his retooled Demons side under first-year senior coach Steven King throughout the 2024 campaign, sidelined by the complicated overlapping soft-tissue and spinal issues that have defied straightforward rehab timelines. Despite the setbacks, the club’s long-serving spiritual leader remains adamant he can still contribute to Melbourne’s push for September finals action as the Demons hold their position in a tightly contested top-four race.
Melbourne cemented its finals credentials with a crucial victory over third-placed Hawthorn in Launceston last Saturday, leaving the side locked in a congested battle for positions at the upper end of the AFL ladder ahead of this Sunday’s blockbuster clash against Richmond at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A win would keep the Demons firmly in the hunt for a high seeding heading into the final rounds of the regular season.
While Viney still has not resumed running — a critical milestone required to map out a formal return to match action — he said his rehab program is making gradual progress, and he is prepared to contribute in any capacity if called upon this season. “They’re going OK, we’re ticking boxes, trying to keep pushing and play some footy this year, that’s the goal with the team going so well,” Viney said in an interview.
Unlike the clear-cut injury recoveries he has navigated throughout his career, the 32-year-old noted this current combination of Achilles and back pain has been far more complex to treat, with repeated revised targets forcing him to adapt to an unclear rehab process. “It hasn’t been a straightforward injury like I would’ve liked, it’s a more complex one we’re trying to find solutions to throughout the whole season,” he explained. “I feel like we’ll get there eventually, it’s just kind of hard to put an ETA on. Wherever, whenever the footy is, I’m just keen to get out there, play it, whether it’s a minute or 90, just get out there and play footy again.”
Viney added that the lack of a clear return date has created a unique mental challenge compared to previous long-term injuries he has overcome. “I am no stranger to injury, but they’ve been more like broken bones or ankle scopes, that kind of stuff, where once you have it done it’s pretty clear and linear,” he said. “Having the achilles and then having my back in the mix, it just hasn’t been as clear cut and it’s been focusing on the systems and building up my load again. It’s definitely tough… similar to an ACL or ruptured Achilles you know you’ve got 12 months of rehab. My process has been much more — (I) feel like we’re getting back … we thought we’d be back at round 8, but it didn’t seem to be the case.”
Until he can resume full running, Viney said the club’s strength and conditioning staff will continue to build his fitness base, with no formal projected return date set. All attention remains on Sunday’s clash with Richmond, where the Demons will look to solidify their place in the finals race as they wait for news on their inspirational leader’s recovery.