MELBOURNE has named versatile tall Cam Pedersen and the dashing Jayden Hunt in the final team for Sunday’s Field of Women match against Sydney.
The duo has been named on the interchange and will replace Joel Smith, who broke his collarbone last weekend against the Suns, and Bernie Vince who has been omitted.
Dean Kent, Mitch Hannan, Sam Weideman and Vince are the emergencies for the match.
Hunt and Pedersen have been recalled after impressive performances in Casey’s 91-point VFL win against the Northern Blues last weekend.
Pedersen, who has played as a tall defender for Casey in recent weeks, starred at Casey Fields last weekend with 31 disposals, 11 marks and a goal in the win.
The 31-year-old comes in for his fourth game for Melbourne in 2018.
Hunt returns to the side for the first time since the round seven win against St Kilda.
The speedy 23-year-old picked up 21 disposals against the Northern Blues last weekend, in what was his first game back after six weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
With a potential top-four spot at stake, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said his side was excited for the chance to take on a finals contender in the Swans.
“It’s great to be back in front of our supporters again at the MCG, against a really strong footy club, in Sydney,” Goodwin said.
“They’ve shown over 15 years the character of their club and how they enjoy the big moments, so it’s a great opportunity for us.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard to be in this position and we’re looking forward to really showcasing what we’ve been building over the last 20 weeks.”
Melbourne team: round 21
B: Neville Jetta, Oscar McDonald, Jordan Lewis
HB: Christian Salem, Sam Frost, James Harmes
C: Dom Tyson, Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw
HF: Charlie Spargo, Jesse Hogan, Aaron vandenBerg
F: Jeff Garlett, Tom McDonald, Bayley Fritsch
Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Christian Petracca
I/C: Cameron Pedersen, Jay Kennedy Harris, Jayden Hunt, Alex Neal-Bullen
Emg: Dean Kent, Mitch Hannan, Sam Weideman, Bernie Vince
In: Pedersen, Hunt
Out: J.Smith (collarbone), Vince (omitted)