INS – Lever, Woewodin, Moniz-Wakefield (AFL debut)
OUTS – Howes, K.Brown (omitted), Salem (inj.)
MELBOURNE has travelled to Brisbane with three changes to its final line-up.
The Dees welcome back Jake Lever and Taj Woewodin to its 23 alongside the exciting addition of debutant Andy Moniz-Wakefield.
Moniz-Wakefield was told the special news on Tuesday afternoon in front of teammates, the forward-turned-defender earning the call-up following a number of standout VFL displays.
Lever enters Melbourne’s team after successfully completing his rehab following knee surgery in May and will add experience and composure to the defensive 50.
Woewodin comes in from the VFL to add fresh energy and clean skills to the Dees line-up.
Christian Salem will miss the Round 16 match, with the club’s GM AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson providing an update on the defender.
“Christian has been experiencing some knee soreness in the past week and with the short turnaround between games, he hasn’t quite recovered as well as we would’ve liked," Richardson said.
“As a result, Christian will sit out of Friday night’s game against the Lions. We are hopeful he will be available for our Round 17 match in 10 days’ time.”
Kynan Brown and Blake Howes have been omitted, with Brown joining Bailey Laurie and Matt Jefferson on the emergency list.
Melbourne will face the Brisbane tomorrow night, with the first bounce scheduled for 7:40pm at the Gabba.