Hogan back with Dees’ main group

MELBOURNE forward Jesse Hogan must get through “a few big sessions” before he gets the green light to play.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin yesterday said Hogan was close to a long-awaited return to football after successful testicular cancer surgery in May.

Hogan, 22, trained with the main group yesterday but has been ruled out of tomorrow night’s blockbuster against Sydney at the MCG.

“It’s good to have Jesse doing some full training and back into it,” Goodwin said.

“He’s been doing a hell of a lot of work the last couple of weeks. He’s getting very close, he’s getting very eager to start playing soon.”

Hogan has not played since Round 7.

The Demons will make three changes to the side that defeated West Coast in an epic clash at Subiaco last week.

Goodwin yesterday ruled out Jack Watts (hamstring) and Jeff Garlett (hamstring), while Christian Salem (hamstring) broke down during the threepoint thriller.

The Demons are unwilling to risk Watts and Garlett after consecutive six-day breaks.