Demons unsure if Hogan will play

MELBOURNE player Jesse Hogan is no guarantee to play against Hawthorn following the death of his father.

The 22-year-old has returned to training, a week after his father Tony died following a long illness.

Teammate Jordan Lewis said coming back to the AFL club might be the best thing for Hogan but it would be up to him whether he played against the Hawks at the MCG on Sunday.

“I think the football club environment is probably one of the best places to be in when you’re dealing with something like the loss of someone or illness of someone,” Lewis said. “Whether he plays or not ... that’s up to him and whether he feels comfortable enough, but from what I saw yesterday, he’s in good spirits.”

Hogan had spent time with his family in Perth during his recent AFL suspension and missed Melbourne’s win over Essendon on Sunday after learning of his father’s death.

Sunday’s clash will be the first time Lewis has faced Hawthorn since they traded him during the off-season, having already sent off another decorated veteran with Sam Mitchell’s trade to West Coast.