MIDFIELDER Dom Tyson will miss Sunday’s clash against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium due to a hamstring injury.
Tyson was a withdrawal on Friday, when the final 22 was announced. His replacement is Christian Salem, who will play his first match since round seven.
The Demons have confirmed their interchange with Christian Salem, Viv Michie, Alex Neal-Bullen and James Harmes named in the side on Friday.
Billy Stretch, Mark Jamar and Rohan Bail, who has come into the 25 for Tyson, have been named emergencies.
Salem has played the past three games in Casey’s senior team.
Manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said the final weeks of the season would be an opportunity for Salem to build some form.
“Christian has now played three games in the VFL after recovering from a hamstring injury and will be considered by the match committee to return to the AFL team this week,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“It’s been a frustrating year for Christian after starting the year really well and we’re really looking forward to him finishing off the year strongly.”
Jamar was last selected at AFL level in round five but has continued to press for selection at Casey, playing 12 games for the year.
Stretch has played eight games for Melbourne since debuting in round six.
He was omitted from the side after the round 17 loss to St Kilda, was rested for one week then played for Casey in their loss to Box Hill.
Melbourne is aiming to defeat the Bulldogs for the second time this season.
The Demons registered a 39-point win over the Bulldogs at the MCG back in round eight and will be aiming to win at Etihad Stadium for the first time since 2007.
The match will also be utility Matt Jones’ 50th game.
Jones was drafted as a mature-age recruit at pick No. 52 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft after impressive form for VFL side Box Hill Hawks.
Having played 22 games in his debut season and another 20 in 2014, Jones has played six games so far in 2015.
“It’s a good achievement from Matt to play 50 AFL games,” Mahoney said.
“Having started as a mature age player, he worked extremely hard to get his opportunity to play AFL.
“He had a major impact in his first two seasons and to reach 50 games is a really good achievement for him.”
Melbourne will play the Western Bulldogs at 3.20pm on Sunday, with the curtainraiser – the AFL Women’s Exhibition Match – starting at 12.35pm.
Melbourne Squad v Western Bulldogs
B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Neville Jetta
HB: Daniel Cross, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe
C: Jack Grimes, Angus Brayshaw, Heritier Lumumba
HF: Matt Jones, Chris Dawes, Bernie Vince
F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jack Watts
Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney
I/C: Christian Salem, Viv Michie, Alex Neal-Bullen, James Harmes
EMG: Billy Stretch, Mark Jamar, Rohan Bail
Milestone: Matt Jones (50 games)
