Absolutely

First reaction - YES.

BUT - will depend to a degree on just how long he is out, what training skill and team activities he has been / will be able to partake in before he is deemed fit to play, and whether the absolute dogs dinner of of “seconds” competition is back, and if so, does Casey have a bye?    
If it gets to 6-8 weeks, and a Casey game is available, I would be inclined to run his first outing as a 50-70% time there. 

Yes.

However, who sacrifices their minutes and role to play Melkshams role is not clear.

YES!

By the time he is eligible to play it will be around 8 weeks without match practice.

I tend towards one game in the VFL.

If it had only been 2-3 weeks out a definite yes.

Shocked to see who asked the question (not)

Viney has to be healthy and in good touch but after that - yes.

The thing we haven’t had the freedom to do since the early rounds is up Petracca’s forward time. If we get Tracc taking clearances then going forward we open up more midfield time and have a scarier forward line.

We could also do with a speed, skill, inside to out midfield flanker type to genuinely put pressure on spots for our bruisers. But Zac Bailey isn’t walking through the door any time soon. 

It's almost a given that he will undertake gradual reintroduction via Casey, probably a 60% game time match then a full match.  And when he completes those yes he's an automatic in.  Assuming casey is back playing. 

There's a reason Darren Burgess is so highly rated, as he is able to sensibly manage players re-entry. Brown and Weeds both saw this.  The Lions player that re injured his hamstring against us after only 2 weeks out shows the folly of rushing players back. 

Provided 100% fit no question.

If i was a doddo post a severe bender who fell off a 60 foot tree, then suffered a bad hangover after just hearing the Vic Gov announce the commencent of a 5th lockdown.... well...

19 minutes ago, rpfc said:

Yes.

However, who sacrifices their minutes and role to play Melkshams role is not clear.

Sparrow or JJ. They don’t have the tank to play 120 minutes, both can play defensive roles and both can hit the scoreboard. Their kicking is probably not as good, but they’ll do better defensively. 
When Viney is ready he can slot back into the middle and I would play one of JJ or Sparrow at half forward. 

100%.

He is absolutely made for September. Happy for him to rest while we are winning and have a 4-5 game lead in to finals. 

What a luxury.

Ask the doctors.

I would only bring Viney back in if he can last until finals. That is when he will be needed. He lifts like no other player when the going really gets tuff. if not hold off until the medicos are sure his foot/toe/whatever else is cherry ripe

IMO there are 3 categories of players on our list.

1) The whipping boys: Serviceable bottom 6 players, that get for varying reasons get judged harshly by supporters regardless of how they actually perform. Always the first to get blamed after a loss.

2) MFC favourites: most players on the list belong in this category. We love them and won't hear a bad word said against them.

3) The underrated superstars: players like Gawn, who have been so damn good for so long that we take them for granted. We focus on their limitations and don't fully appreciate just how unbelievably good they are. These players are generally rated higher by opposition supports than our own. 

IMO Viney belongs in the third group.

Ever since I was enlightened last year by the analysis from Axis of Bob, I believe we'll win more centre clearances (which is an area we've been patchy) if Viney is in the team, so he's slots in for mine. Even if it is at the expense of Jordon (who hasn't put a foot wrong).

You want him in a finals match.

yes, even with one hand tied behind his back

Viney needs game time whether in Casey or AFL will be upto Burgess and the coaches since the lockdown no games in the VFL have been played maybe he becomes the 23rd man for a couple of weeks.

The player automatic return is Langdon so we need 2 spots if Viney is included Melksham is on thin ice as a player at AFL level the other is Sparrow but his game on Friday was very good with his limited game time in the VFL or AFL in recent weeks.

Will need to get a bit of match fitness in the twos i reckon but once he's fit he's an important part of the midfield. Need to make sure he's right for finals like he was in 2018 after missing a lot of footy during the year.

Yes

52 minutes ago, dl4e said:

If it was 2 or 3 weeks then yes an automatic selection. He has missed a few more than that so I would bring him back via Casey.

 

46 minutes ago, monoccular said:

First reaction - YES.

BUT - will depend to a degree on just how long he is out, what training skill and team activities he has been / will be able to partake in before he is deemed fit to play, and whether the absolute dogs dinner of of “seconds” competition is back, and if so, does Casey have a bye?    
If it gets to 6-8 weeks, and a Casey game is available, I would be inclined to run his first outing as a 50-70% time there. 

I think the unwritten/implied first part of the question is “once fully fit”. Whether or not he needs a run or two at Casey to rebuild match fitness is a separate question I think.

And yes, definitely comes straight in once fit. 

If they mean does he come in without VFL to build confidence and fitness no. If he does not have a VFL to build confidence and fitness then yes but with further proof at training. If that is meant to mean is he even in our best 22 it does not even deserve a response. We have the luxury of doing whatever is the best path to having Viney cherry ripe and champing at the bit to hit finals and everyone in them hard and fast. However when he comes in he needs to spend less time in middle and rotate through half forward with Sparrow, and Jordon (and take Melkshams slot). 

16 minutes ago, Accepting Mediocrity said:

IMO there are 3 categories of players on our list.

1) The whipping boys: Serviceable bottom 6 players, that get for varying reasons get judged harshly by supporters regardless of how they actually perform. Always the first to get blamed after a loss.

2) MFC favourites: most players on the list belong in this category. We love them and won't hear a bad word said against them.

3) The underrated superstars: players like Gawn, who have been so damn good for so long that we take them for granted. We focus on their limitations and don't fully appreciate just how unbelievably good they are. These players are generally rated higher by opposition supports than our own. 

IMO Viney belongs in the third group.

100% agree. Bleeds for Melbourne, inspires by actions, never concedes.

Jamie Elliot says hi.

1st game back after 9 weeks with a broken leg wasn't too bad.

It's a yes from me.

Provided he is fully healthy, fit and raring to go.

Viney is a contested beast. You don't train for it...it's born in you.

Yes, but Harmes coming back to 2018 form has made his absence far less of an issue.

1 hour ago, Lace Out said:

100%.

He is absolutely made for September. Happy for him to rest while we are winning and have a 4-5 game lead in to finals. 

What a luxury.

We can't afford to take the foot off the gas. We need to finish top 4 to have a chance and the other teams are only 2 games behind us. 

Yes. we need to ruthlessly pursue all avenues to get this team as good as it can possibly be come finals, there is no doubt in my mind our best team includes Jack Viney. 

BUT... 

i'm happy if they're cautious in his return, we don't need to rush him back, make sure he's cherry ripe.