Jack Viney is hoping to ditch his crutches well ahead of his injury prognosis to help ensure Melbourne make their first AFL finals campaign in 11 years.
The Demons' skipper hobbled out of his side's round-15 match with a foot injury but is eyeing a return in round 18.
He's undergone surgery and is not yet to put weight on his injured leg but that hasn't stopped Viney setting the ambitious time frame.
"I'm going to try and get up for the Port Adelaide game," he told the club's website on Wednesday.
Melbourne originally listed Viney as unavailable for four-six weeks with the plantar fascia complaint.
"We're just taking it day by day. We're just seeing how my pain is and what I'm able to do and go from there," he said.
"I'm just into rehab at the moment to try and get off the crutches.
"Hopefully, within the next couple of days, I'll be off those. Then, I'll walk around for a couple of days and then I'll get into some running and I'll be back before you know it."
Sunday's tight win over Carlton was the first time Viney had missed a game through injury in more than two years.
He revealed he was playing through pain in his foot for "a year or so" before the tear.
"I've just been managing it and then it just gave way during the Sydney game," he said.
"I just went into surgery to get it fully done and onto recovery."
The 23-year-old, after watching the eight-point win from the coaches' box, won't travel to Darwin for Saturday's meeting with league leaders Adelaide.
The Demons, fifth with a 9-6 record, are on track for September but face healthy competition to play off in the finals.
Just 10 premiership points separate fourth-placed Port Adelaide from fallen powerhouse Hawthorn, sitting 13th.
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