MELBOURNE has added five players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena.
Key backman Lynden Dunn, former co-captain Jack Grimes, versatile big man Sam Frost, rookie Josh Wagner and speedster Billy Stretch have been included in the 25-man squad.
Defender Colin Garland and midfielder Angus Brayshaw have been omitted.
As announced earlier on Thursday, Wagner, who was drafted at No.6 from Queensland club Aspley in last November’s NAB AFL Draft, has been named for his first AFL match.
Wagner has been named on an extended bench, along with first-year player Clayton Oliver, Dunn, Stretch, Frost, utility Cameron Pedersen and Grimes.
Dunn, Grimes and Stretch are in line to play their first match for Melbourne this year, while Frost is aiming to return after playing in round one.
General manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Wagner had worked hard since arriving at the club.
“Josh came to us a mature-age player, after playing a couple of seasons in the NEAFL,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“He was introduced to AFL level in the NAB Challenge and performed well.
“He has continued that form at Casey and he has earned an opportunity to make his AFL debut.”
Mahoney said Dunn, who has been an emergency for the past two matches, was a strong chance to return, given North Melbourne’s tall timber in attack features Drew Petrie, Jarrad Waite and Ben Brown.
“Lynden had a slightly interrupted NAB Challenge, but he’s now played the past two games at Casey and has performed well. His inclusion will bolster our key defensive area and cater for North Melbourne’s tall forwards,” he said.
“Frost, Grimes and Stretch played well for Casey last week and they’re in the mix for selection.”
Melbourne will be aiming for its second win of the season and its first win over North Melbourne since round 20, 2006, as it attempts to snap a 14-game losing streak against the Kangaroos.
It will also be Melbourne’s first match at Bellerive Oval for premiership points and just its second home and away match in Tasmania. The only other encounter was round eight, 1952 when Melbourne lost to Fitzroy by 20 points at North Hobart.
Melbourne team: round three
B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Tomas Bugg
HB: Matt Jones, Heritier Lumumba, Christian Salem
C: Bernie Vince, Dom Tyson, James Harmes
HF: Jack Watts, Aaron vandenBerg, Ben Kennedy
F: Dean Kent, Jesse Hogan, Jeff Garlett
Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney
I/C (from): Clayton Oliver, Lynden Dunn, Billy Stretch, Sam Frost, Cameron Pedersen, Jack Grimes, Josh Wagner
In: Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes, Sam Frost, Josh Wagner, Billy Stretch
Out: Colin Garland, Angus Brayshaw
