Cotton wool will be applied to Melbourne's midfield star Tom Scully until the middle of the AFL season.

No.1 draft pick Scully's knee injury is not progressing as well as Melbourne hoped, putting his return to football on hold until at least June.

Scully had been ruled out for the first month of the season after bone stress in his patella was discovered pre-season.

On Wednesday the Demons admitted Scully's return would not be as early as previously hoped and said he would be at least another six weeks away from playing.

"Tom is going to be a long-term player for this club, so we are being conservative with the view to ensure a smooth return to football with no issues down the track," Demons football manager Chris Connolly said.

"It's important to note that this is an uncommon football injury ... so we are erring on the side of caution.

"Tom is a driven young man, and is doing everything possible to return to football quickly.

"But it's important to get this right now and not rush him back."

Scully is not yet back running, and the club suggests that will now happen in the next two weeks.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn defender Ben Stratton's season is over.

Stratton tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the Hawks' big win over Richmond at the weekend, and Hawthorn had been evasive since about the likely timeframe for his recovery.

But the Hawks finally gave up on Stratton for the season on Wednesday after surgery on Tuesday to repair his PCL and have the lateral ligament in his right knee stabilised.

"We are determined to make sure he has the best possible recovery and rehabilitation from this injury," Hawks football manager Mark Evans said in a statement.

"Whilst we are disappointed to lose Ben for the season, the longer term management for his playing career is far more important."

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