INS – Salem
OUTS – Bowey (omitted), Jordon (used medi-sub)

CHRISTIAN Salem will make his return to Melbourne’s starting 22 on Friday night, as the team begins its 2022 Toyota AFL Finals campaign.

Salem was a late withdrawal from the Demons’ Round 23 match against Brisbane with a groin strain but has returned to full fitness in the past two weeks.

Jake Bowey has been omitted from the line-up that will face the Swans, joining Joel Smith, Toby Bedford and Jacob van Rooyen on the team’s emergency list.

Melbourne will name one of those four players as its medical substitute for the Qualifying Final one hour prior to the match at the MCG.

The ball will be bounced at 7:50pm (AEST), but gates will be open from 4:30pm for fans to attend the Dees’ Round 2 AFLW clash with North Melbourne.

That clash, between two of AFLW’s best sides from Season 6, will kick off at 5pm.

Tickets for the Demon double-header are available here. 

See below for the full Qualifying Final team.