MELBOURNE has made just one change for Saturday night’s clash against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
The red and blue has lost tall forward Sam Weideman with a quadriceps injury, after making his AFL debut in Melbourne’s brilliant 29-point win over Hawthorn at the MCG last Saturday.
Coming back into the side is goalkicker Jesse Hogan, who was a late withdrawal last round, due to a knee injury, which he hurt when he crashed into the point post in Melbourne’s round 19 win against the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG.
Another key tall in attack, Cam Pedersen, who replaced Hogan on game day last round, has retained his position.
Fellow big man Chris Dawes, who has played six of the past eight matches, has been named an emergency, after he was rested last week.
Defender Colin Garland, who like Dawes has played six matches this season, has been named an emergency for the third successive round.
And versatile ball-winner Alex Neal-Bullen, who has played three matches this year, with his most recent appearance being Melbourne’s six-point loss to the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium in round 18, has also been named an emergency.
Melbourne will be looking to snap a seven-match losing streak against Port Adelaide, with its most recent win over the Power coming in round 17 at TIO Stadium in Darwin.
Coach Paul Roos said the match committee was not prepared to risk Weideman, after just one AFL match.
“Sam got a bit of a corkie at the start of the game when he took that mark,” he said.
“We just don't want any player, let alone a young player, going in underdone.”
Roos said it was a shame Weideman was out of the side, as he was looking forward to seeing him play with Hogan.
“They’re similar but they’re a little bit different,” he said.
“’Hoges’ is a really smart player, so he can change roles. He was really looking forward to playing with Sam. He was really disappointed he didn't play last week in Sam's first game.
“They can definitely play together.”
Melbourne team: round 21
B: Sam Frost, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Jayden Hunt, Oscar McDonald, Tomas Bugg
C: Christian Petracca, Bernie Vince, Dom Tyson
HF: Jeff Garlett, Jack Watts, Aaron vandenBerg
F: James Harmes, Jesse Hogan, Dean Kent
Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney
I/C: Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver, Billy Stretch, Cameron Pedersen
Emg: Chris Dawes, Colin Garland, Alex Neal-Bullen
In: Hogan
Out: Sam Weideman (quadriceps)
