In an eventful Thursday team selection, the Demons have made five changes for its round 16 clash.
Former skipper Brad Green, who kicked six goals for Casey last round, returns, while the Dees have regained ruckman Mark Jamar and Tom McDonald from injury, and recalled forward Ricky Petterd.
The Demons have also lost utility Lynden Dunn through suspension, and have left out nominated rookie James Magner and ruckman Jake Spencer.
The naming of Couch for his first AFL match has been long-awaited.
Football manager Josh Mahoney said the midfielder had been pushing hard for a call up, following some impressive form for Casey in the VFL this year. Last round, Couch booted four goals and gained 25 disposals against Port Melbourne.
“Tom has had a consistent season at VFL level and he has worked hard on areas that the coaches identified that he needed to improve,” Mahoney told melbournefc.com.au.
“He’s another good story of persistence for a player who makes his debut outside the normal AFL pathway.”
The 24-year-old has done it tough to reach this level, plying his trade via the TAC Cup, VCFL, SANFL and VFL.
After playing with Collingwood’s VFL team last year, Couch - the son of 1989 Brownlow Medallist Paul - was selected by Melbourne at No. 24 in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft last December.
Watts has rarely missed a match for the Demons. Aside from three matches in his debut season, he strung together 42 consecutive matches from round eight, 2010 to round five, 2012.
He was then left out for two matches, and since returning in round eight, has produced arguably the best patch of football in his 52-game career.
“Jack hurt his ankle during last week’s game against Richmond,” Mahoney said.
“Unfortunately, it has not recovered in time for this week’s game and we hope he will be available for next week’s game in Darwin.”
For Moloney - the reigning Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy winner - this will be the first time he has been left out of the side since round two, 2008.
Aside from missing two matches with a groin injury in rounds two and three, Moloney has played 12 matches this season, although he started last week as the substitute.
“Brent is working very hard on different aspects of his game,” Mahoney said.
“At the moment, this is not transferring into performance on game day, however if he continues to dedicate the way he has, we are confident his performances will improve.”
Jamar missed the past two rounds with a calf injury, and defender Tom McDonald was absent against Richmond last week, due to bleeding on the lung after a collision when playing against the Brisbane Lions in round 14. McDonald had to be driven back from Brisbane to Melbourne due to the nature of his injury.
“Both Tom and Mark completed the main training session on Wednesday and are ready to play this week,” Mahoney said.
After an injury interrupted season and some fluctuating form, Green is back in the side following an excellent performance for the Scorpions last round.
“Brad performed very well last week at Casey, particularly in the second half and made the most of his opportunities, so he’s a welcome addition in the team,” Mahoney said.
Petterd will also play his first match since round seven against Hawthorn, after a season marred by leg problems and indifferent form.
“Ricky has had a stop-start type of year with a number of minor injuries and he gets his opportunity this week back in the AFL side,” Mahoney said.
“We look forward to having an impact on the side.”
As confirmed on Tuesday, Dunn accepted a one match suspension, after he was charged with a level one striking offence against Richmond tall Luke McGuane from last round.
Nominated rookie James Magner has been named an emergency after playing every match so far in his first AFL-listed season.
“Jimmy has performed very well, playing every game in his debut AFL season,” Mahoney said.
“He’s not in the team for this week, but we look forward to him earning his spot back soon.”
Ruckman Jake Spencer, who played the past two matches, almost two years to the day since his previous appearance in round 14, 2010, has also been relegated to emergency.
“Jake has shown really good signs in his two games, in the absence of Mark Jamar,” Mahoney said.
“He’ll take a lot of confidence out of those games and we look forward to him taking some strong form back to Casey.”
Rebounding defender James Strauss, who missed the first half of the season with a leg injury, is an emergency for the second successive week.
The match starts at 1:45 pm, with Melbourne playing its first home and away clash at Docklands this season.
Round 16 Melbourne team
B: Daniel Nicholson, James Frawley, Luke Tapscott
HB: Joel Macdonald, Tom McDonald, Jack Grimes
C: Jack Trengove, Jordie McKenzie, Jeremy Howe
HF: Ricky Petterd, Jared Rivers, Sam Blease
F: Colin Sylvia, Colin Garland, Brad Green
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Rohan Bail, Nathan Jones
I/C: Matthew Bate, Jamie Bennell, Stef Martin, Tom Couch
EMG: James Strauss, Jake Spencer, James Magner
IN: Brad Green, Mark Jamar, Ricky Petterd, Tom Couch, Tom McDonald
OUT: Lynden Dunn (suspension), Jack Watts (ankle), Brent Moloney, James Magner, Jake Spencer
NEW: Tom Couch (Collingwood VFL)
