AFL 2024: Melbourne star Clayton Oliver dislocates finger at training

Melbourne star Clayton Oliver was sent for a scan after suffering a dislocated finger at training on Wednesday, but the Demons still expect him to face Port Adelaide on Saturday.

The Demons confirmed Oliver left Casey Fields for a scan following the incident but do not have concerns over his availability ahead of the blockbuster Adelaide Oval clash.

It comes as coach Simon Goodwin said he was “really confident” key defender Jake Lever would play despite sitting out the second half of the win over Hawthorn with a knee concern.

Lever’s availability will be a major boost to a Melbourne backline missing star Steven May, who Goodwin said might only miss one week after suffering a painful double rib fracture and a small spinal fracture.

Goodwin said May was even lobbying to face the Power, but he said the club wouldn’t be “silly” in rushing the defender back.

“Steven May will just be the one week we think at the moment. He’ll run do some running today … and that might sound a bit strange to people, but just to get a guide on where he sits,” Goodwin said.

“We’re confident he’ll travel to Adelaide with us. And we’re really, really hopefully he will play the following week.

“He’ll be knocking on the door saying put me in (this week), but I don’t expect it to be the case … we certainly won’t be silly in that space. We’ll make sure that he’s right.”

Goodwin was tight lipped over which end of the ground he would deploy swingman Harrison Petty as he said either Adam Tomlinson or Marty Hore could replace May.

“We’re really confident (Lever) will play. So he’ll train today. We’re really confident he’ll be able to get through that session and be available for this week,” the coach said.

“So that’s exciting for our club after the weekend where there’s a bit of doom and gloom about having two key defensive pillars out.

“If I told you (where Petty would play), I’d be telling Port Adelaide … we’ve got some options.

“You know, Adam Tomlinson’s played some solid footy. Marty Hore plays tall as well. So we’ve got some options in the back half of the ground.

“Harrison is one of those players that you’d love to have him at either end of the ground. So we’ll make that decision probably tomorrow.”