MELBOURNE has named its first squad for 2022, with the AFL side set to take on the Kangaroos in a practice match on Thursday morning.

There will be 28 Dees players taking to Casey Fields in this unofficial hit-out, with just four of last year’s premiership players sitting on the sidelines.

As announced last week, Harry Petty will miss the club’s two pre-season matches with a calf injury, while Jake Lever (rolled ankle) and Bayley Fritsch (bruised calf) will be given this weekend to rest due to soreness.

Starved Bedford itching for match-play return

“We had a really strong training session last week and unfortunately we copped a couple of little niggles out of it,” GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson told Melbourne Media.

“Jake sustained a minor rolled ankle while Bayley suffered a bruised calf.

“Both players will conduct big training sessions on Saturday and both should be right to play against Carlton next week.”

Jack Viney (Health and Safety Protocols) will also be absent from the clash with North Melbourne, but should be available come next Thursday’s AAMI Community Series match at Marvel Stadium.

For more information about the practice match at Casey Fields, which is free for the public to attend, click here.

Full Squad:

1. STEVEN MAY
3. CHRISTIAN SALEM
4. JAMES HARMES
5. CHRISTIAN PETRACCA
6. LUKE JACKSON
9. CHARLIE SPARGO
10. ANGUS BRAYSHAW
11. MAX GAWN
12. TOBY BEDFORD
13. CLAYTON OLIVER
14. MICHAEL HIBBERD
15. ED LANGDON
17. JAKE BOWEY
20. ADAM TOMLINSON
23. JAMES JORDON
24. TRENT RIVERS
25. TOM MCDONALD
26. SAM WEIDEMAN
29. JAYDEN HUNT
30. ALEX NEAL-BULLEN
32. TOM SPARROW
33. OSKAR BAKER
36. KYSAIAH PICKETT
37. KADE CHANDLER
38. MITCH BROWN
42. DANIEL TURNER
44. JOEL SMITH
50. BEN BROWN