A “long-term knee management” plan to get Tim Membrey back in the fray is underway, with a six-to-eight-week timeline mapped out as confirmed by Ross Lyon. 

The key forward missed the first five matches of the season following pre-season knee surgery, being limited to just four senior games - the last of which saw him concussed - and three VFL appearances before being ruled out of all forms of competition last week with knee soreness.  

“It’s nothing significant. We probably pushed his return a little bit so we’ve decided to give him a training bock of about six to eight weeks,” Lyon said at this morning’s press conference.

“He had a little bit of a treatment on it last week, get the strength the run and get his confidence back up as a leader of the club.

“He just hasn’t been comfortable and confident… and you’ve got to take the feedback (about what players feel about themselves). He could train and play, but he just doesn’t feel it’s as strong as it should be. 

“We’ve mapped out a plan, I think Geelong did it with Dangerfield and he’s not as old as Gunston (from Brisbane), but it’s the same sort of principle to get them feeling good about themselves.

Lyon says the decision to rest Membrey wasn’t contingent on young forwards Mattaes Phillipou, Anthony Caminiti and Mitch Owens’ availability.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to treat them on their merits, if he needs time, he needs time

“I want everyone available if they can be available, but we’ve got to put the best interest of the player first.

“For my needs, I wouldn’t tap him out for eight weeks, but for his needs and the team’s need it’s important that we do that.”