FLAMBOYANT Melbourne forward Austin Wonaeamirri could have just five more games for the Demons this year before being forced back to the seconds.

In a frustrating dilemma similar to what Essendon faced with Damien Peverill in 2001, Wonaeamirri — who kicked four goals in the Dees' come-from-behind victory against Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday — can only remain on the senior list while a senior listed player remains on the long-term injury list.

Captain David Neitz, who has vowed to return to football this year from injury before retiring at season's end, is due to reassessed with a view to returning to the team for the round-13 clash against Sydney at Canberra's Manuka Oval.

Wonaeamirri was promoted to the senior list in round three for the injured Jack Grimes who is anticipated to be ready to play sooner than Neitz. Wonaeamirri does not have to drop back to the rookie list until Neitz returns to fitness.

"Neita is available to be assessed to play leading into the Sydney game," said Melbourne's football manager Chris Connolly.

"Now, if Neita is right to play and Jack (Grimes) is right to play then, yes, Austin will have to go back on the rookie list and not be available.

"Jack will be back for sure. Neita will be assessed and Neita's recovery from this neck injury and shoulder injury is probably 50-50.

"But we are more confident than not to have them both available so, yes, it does make Austin vulnerable."

The form, excitement and hope generated by Wonaeamirri in the Demons' disappointing season will in some ways ease pressure on Neitz not to push himself to return prematurely for the side's sake.

"Neita has to be assessed before the Sydney game," Connolly said.

"Even when he did it in December the surgeon said this thing could be around for two weeks, two months or two years and then we soldiered on and it just wasn't fair on anyone so we just hope it comes good and you don't know with these things until you test it out," Connolly said.

"Grimes is in no doubt to return having suffered several injuries over the summer that combined meant he had no pre-season and the club decided it was better to put him on the long-term injury and have him do the equivalent of a full-pre-season in his own that attempt to reach his fitness by playing. That was the best thing about yesterday was Colin Garland, James Frawley, Austin, and Cale Morton is going to be a beauty and they are going to be the future."