MELBOURNE has named first-year Demon Jimmy Toumpas in its final 22 for Monday's Queen's Birthday clash against Collingwood at the MCG.
Toumpas, who was added to the squad on Friday after defender Joel Macdonald withdrew with a foot injury, was named on the interchange, along with Jordie McKenzie, Dean Kent and Luke Tapscott.
Rohan Bail has been left out of the side and is now an emergency, along with James Sellar and Max Gawn.
On Friday, the Demons moved Sam Blease from its initial bench to its starting 18, when Macdonald was ruled out and Toumpas came into the squad.
Macdonald was originally named on the half-back flank on Thursday night, before he his injury struck. It continued a tough start to the season, after he battled at hamstring injury early in the season. But he showed some good form in the VFL, before returning last round.
Toumpas has played four matches in his first year, but has not played since round eight against Richmond. He missed round nine with an ankle injury, but returned to play for Casey last weekend.
On Thursday night, Melbourne rushed back midfielder/forward Colin Sylvia and defender Tom McDonald.
Sylvia missed the past three matches through suspension and McDonald was sidelined for the past four rounds, due to a shoulder injury.
As expected, Melbourne lost key backman James Frawley for the next month with a hamstring injury, which he sustained late in the game against Hawthorn at the MCG last Sunday.
Rebounder James Strauss, who has played four of his 22 AFL matches this year, was also left out of the side.
Football manager Josh Mahoney said the Demons were pleased to regain two important players.
“It’s good to be welcoming back two players in Col Sylvia and Tom McDonald,” he said.
“Tom’s overcome his shoulder injury and he’s trained well this week. He’ll help offset the loss of James Frawley.
“Col has served his suspension and worked hard during the break on his fitness, so he’s ready to have an impact.”
Mahoney said Blease had earned his recall by working hard on the defensive side of his game.
“We’ll look forward to seeing that part of his game, as well as the attacking side of his game he brings naturally,” Mahoney said.
Sylvia has not played since round seven against Gold Coast, when he was rubbed out for striking Jared Brennan. Up until that point, he had produced an impressive season.
McDonald, who suffered a shoulder injury at training, has not played since round six against Carlton.
Blease has made three appearances in 2013.
Round 11 Melbourne team
B: Lynden Dunn, Cameron Pedersen, Dean Terlich
HB: Colin Garland, Tom McDonald, Sam Blease
C: Jack Trengove, Colin Sylvia, Michael Evans
HF: Jeremy Howe, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jack Watts
F: David Rodan, Chris Dawes, Aaron Davey
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Matt Jones, Nathan Jones
I/C: Jordie McKenzie, Dean Kent, Luke Tapscott, Jimmy Toumpas
EMG: James Sellar, Max Gawn, Rohan Bail
IN: Colin Sylvia, Sam Blease, Tom McDonald, Jimmy Toumpas
OUT: James Frawley (hamstring), Joel Macdonald (foot), James Strauss, Rohan Bail
Toumpas named in final 22 for QB clash
Melbourne has named Jimmy Toumpas and left out Rohan Bail from its team for Monday's Queen's Birthday clash against the Magpies at the MCG