MELBOURNE has finalised its 22 for Sunday’s clash against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG, recalling first-year Demon Christian Salem and leaving out utility Rohan Bail.
The Demons named Salem, tough-nut Aidan Riley, second-year Demon Dom Barry and midfielder Matt Jones on their interchange.
Bail, key forward/ruckman Jack Fitzpatrick and run-with player Jordie McKenzie have been named emergencies.
On Thursday night, co-captain Jack Grimes was named in the starting 18 after missing the past two matches with a hamstring injury. But small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris, who has played 14 matches in his debut year – including the first 11 rounds – has been left out this week.
Grimes suffered his hamstring injury in the lead-up to Melbourne’s round 19 clash against the Brisbane Lions, which the Demons ended up losing by 23 points at Etihad Stadium.
Aside from his absence in the past two rounds, Grimes has played every game for the Dees this year, after a collarbone injury sidelined him from rounds seven to 14 last year.
Salem has played 10 matches this season – all from rounds six to 16 – and has offered a genuine glimpse into his future potential.
For Bail, who has played 19 of his 63 AFL matches this season, it will be his first match missed this season.
McKenzie, who was also an emergency last round, has played eight matches in 2014.
Fitzpatrick, who featured in Melbourne’s opening three matches of the season, has not played since the Demons went down to the Giants in round three. He was also an emergency last round after some impressive form recently for Casey.
Melbourne will be aiming for its fifth win of the season.
The Demons have not lost to the Giants at the MCG, but they haven’t defeated GWS since round four, 2013.
Melbourne team: round 21
B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
HB: Jeremy Howe, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes
C: Bernie Vince, Jack Watts, Daniel Cross
HF: Viv Michie, James Frawley, Jack Viney
F: Dean Kent, Chris Dawes, Max Gawn
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson
I/C: Christian Salem, Aidan Riley, Dom Barry, Matt Jones
EMG: Rohan Bail, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jordie McKenzie
IN: Jack Grimes, Christian Salem
OUT: Rohan Bail, Jay Kennedy-Harris
