(Image: Getty)
Melbourne have suffered a blow a few weeks out from the start of the season with Aaron vandenBerg suffering a heel stress fracture.
The tough midfielder is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks, meaning he will miss the opening two matches of the Demons’ campaign against St Kilda and Carlton at least.
The 25-year-old has featured in Melbourne’s first two practice matches this year, racking up a total of 23 disposals and two goals across both hitouts.
Since being selected in the 2015 rookie draft as a mature-age recruit, vandenBerg has played 28 games and kicked 17 goals for the Dees.