AFL Injury News: North Melbourne receives boost ahead of Melbourne Demons clash with duo set to return 

North Melbourne’s VFL side is set to receive reinforcements ahead of the game against Case on Sunday as Griffin Logue and Colby McKercher are set to return. In the match against Gold Coast in Round 9 where he earned a Rising Star nomination, McKercher sustained a bone stress injury in his foot that rendered him inactive.

North Melbourne Head of Performance Kevin White, speaking to NMFC Media on McKercher’s recovery, said:

"It's a great result for Colbs. There's probably a little bit of uncertainty at the start with these types of injuries. You've got to get that rest period at the very start. That's why it was a TBC for Colby - until it was safe enough to load that bone properly with running, then into football boots and into football function. He's had two really good weeks of football conditioning on-field."

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North Melbourne injury updates ahead of R15

AFL Rd 13 - West Coast v North Melbourne

North Melbourne young tall Wil Dawson had to undergo AC joint surgery last week, having sustained an injury early in the Round 14 game against West Coast Eagles.

White spoke to NMFC Media on Dawson’s recovery progress:

"It's a fairly new surgery they're using at the minute to repair that ligament. When he comes out of the sling, we'll get through his range of movement, his strength and then back into football function."

Brayden George's season has reportedly ended since he suffered an ACL rupture in Sunday's VFL clash with Collingwood after an awkward landing in a marking contest.

White said:

"We know Brayden, he's an ultimate professional. He's had some serious bad luck with his injuries over the last 18 months, and the respect he's earned from the playing group and staff here through how he's handled himself in that period will hold him in good stead. He's got a lot of love and support here."

The timeline for North Melbourne half-forward Blake Drury's return has been updated to 3-5 weeks. On the upside, Bigoa Nyuon should be good to go this weekend after missing out on the reserves' win over Collingwood.

White, speaking on Dury’s condition, said:

"Biggie had a significant hip pointer issue. We gave him every opportunity to put his hand up as far as gameday and he was making steady progress in the week, but on gameday (he) couldn't get above 80 percent in terms of his full function. He should train this week uninhibited and be available to play."

Kangaroos co-captain Jy Simpkin was a late withdrawal and will need to take some fitness tests later in the week to see if he would be fit to make this weekend’s line-up.

"He felt really good during the week but when we had main training on Friday, he felt some general awareness in his hamstring. We scanned that, which showed a really minor hamstring strain ... we envisage that it came directly out of the West Coast game. It being so low level, he's down for a test this week ... he's making good progress but we'll have more information once we get through training on Thursday," White said.