MELBOURNE has named a squad of 38 players including prized off-season recruit Brodie Grundy to take on the Saints in six periods of match simulation.
Demons fans will also get their first look at Bulldogs pair Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache as well as well as first-year Demons Matt Jefferson (pick 15), Will Verall (rookie), Oliver Sestan (rookie), Kyah Farris-White (Category B rookie) and Kye Turner (rookie).
>> Full Squad Named Below
The Demons and Saints will face off in six 25-minute periods with no time-on as players rotate in and out of the lineups across the afternoon.
The ball will bounce at 4pm at RSEA Park on Friday evening, with the unticketed match free to attend for fans and livestreamed via Kayo.
Christian Salem is unavailable for the match simulation, however GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson says the crafty defender is making steady progress as he deals with a Thyroid concern.
“In addition to what we have already released, I’m pleased to say that Salo is now tracking the right way,” Richardson says.
“It's hard to give an absolute timeframe on it, it will all depend on how he responds as we ramp up his loads."
The club’s 2022 leading goalkicker Bayley Fritsch is still in line to take on the Bulldogs in Round 1 despite being unavailable for Friday’s match simulation.
“Fritta got stomped on at training last week, but we're still pretty confident that he'll be right to go by Round 1,” Richardson says.
“He's basically just got a bruised foot and we’re just not going to take a risk. It needs a little bit of time to settle down.”
High-flyer Joel Smith is making strong progress, leaving the rehab group to re-join main training.
“Joel had ankle surgery just before Christmas,” Richardson says.
“He’s coming along, he’s reasonably close. He’s joined in training again now.
“He's not doing everything but he's heading the right way. He’s a chance to play the following week against Richmond. It just depends how he responds as his program increases in volume.”
Veteran Jake Melksham (calf tightness) and draftee Jed Adams (shoulder) also won’t take part in match simulation, but could hit full fitness in time to take on the Tigers in the club’s official pre-season hit-out next week.
Adams had his under 18s season ended by a shoulder injury and went under the knife before he was selected by the club with pick 38 in the National Draft.
“Based on his history, we need to take our time with Jed,” Richardson says.
“He’s getting there. He’s a chance to be in the mix next week.”
Midfield bull Luke Dunstan won’t take part in either pre-season matchup after injuring his hamstring on the training track.
“He’ll still be a couple of weeks before he gets back into full training, we’ll assess his availability from there.
Eight additional Casey players will round out the numbers for the Demons side.
Full Squad List
1.Steven May
2. Jacob van Rooyen
4. James Harmes
5. Christian Petracca
6. Brodie Grundy
7. Jack Viney
8. Jake Lever
9. Charlie Spargo
10. Angus Brayshaw
11. Max Gawn
12. Lachie Hunter
13. Clayton Oliver
14. Michael Hibberd
15. Ed Langdon
16. Bailey Laurie
17. Jake Bowey
19. Josh Schache
20. Adam Tomlinson
21. Matt Jefferson
22. Blake Howes
23. James Jordon
24. Trent Rivers
25. Tom McDonald
28. Will Verrall
29. Kye Turner
30. Alex Neal-Bullen
32. Tom Sparrow
34. Deakyn Smith
35. Harrison Petty
36. Kysaiah Pickett
37. Kade Chandler
38. Oliver Sestan
40. Taj Woewodin
41. Judd McVee
42. Daniel Turner
43. Kyah Farris-White
45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield
50. Ben Brown
Casey. James Munro
Casey. Matthew Buntine
Casey. Trent Burgoyne
Casey. Luca Goonan
Casey. Tyler Edwards
Casey. Riley Baldi
Casey. Max Gregory
Casey.Tommy McRae
