MELBOURNE has named a near full-strength lineup for its final pre-season hit-out as it gears up for its Round 1 clash in just over two weeks’ time.
Christian Petracca will pull on the red and blue for the first time since his King’s Birthday injury, while young gun Caleb Windsor returns form a skin infection and Jack Viney from a rib injury.
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The clash with Fremantle shapes as a full dress rehearsal for the Demons’ Round 1 date with the Giants, with a host of star players returning after being managed for last weekend’s game against North Melbourne.
Captain Max Gawn, vice skipper Jack Viney, Christian Salem, Steven May and Bayley Fritsch will all make their season debuts against AFL opposition.
First round pairing Xavier Lindsay and Harvey Langford have retained their spots in the side while uncapped Demons Aidan Johnson and Jed Adams have also been named.
Judd McVee (hamstring), Koltyn Tholstrup (back), Jake Melksham (hamstring), Shane McAdam (Achilles), Marty Hore (hand), Andy Moniz-Wakefield (knee) and Luker Kentfield (illness) remain sidelined.
The ball will bounce for Melbourne and the Dockers at 6:10pm AEDT, with the two sides battling it out on Mandurah’s Rushton Park.
