MELBOURNE has named its final team for its season-opening clash against GWS, confirming six Demons will make their debut on Sunday.
It was announced this morning that a six-strong legion of new recruits would step out onto the ‘G to face the Giants, with five players getting their first taste of AFL.
Harvey Langford, Xavier Lindsay, Matt Jefferson, Aidan Johnson and Jack Henderson will all make their AFL debuts, while trade acquisition Harry Sharp will play his first game in the red and blue.
Forward Daniel Turner has been withdrawn from last night’s squad with illness, with Tom Campbell named as an emergency as his replacement.
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Alongside these new Demons, Melbourne has also confirmed that its midfield would return to star-studded status, naming Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney and Trent Rivers.
Endurance connoisseurs Ed Langdon and Caleb Windsor will run along the wing while tall forwards Jacob van Rooyen, Aidan Johnson and the aforementioned Jefferson will join forces with Kade Chandler, Tom Sparrow, Bayley Fritsch and Jack Henderson.
At the other end of the ground, Melbourne’s famous defensive duo Steven May and Jake Lever will return to the ‘G, alongside its crew of backline talents in Harrison Petty, Jake Bowey, Blake Howes and Christian Salem.
Jack Billings and Tom McDonald have been named alongside Campbell as emergencies.
The Dees are set to face the Giants on Sunday in the club’s inaugural Jim’s game, an Irish celebration to honour club legend Jim Stynes.
The match will see the players don special guernseys featuring green shamrocks, with all match-worn jumpers to be auctioned off to raise funds for the Jim Stynes Foundation. Check out the auction here to make your bid.
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In addition to the many touches of green set to take over the ‘G, there will be Irish dancers, facepainting, hairspray and Gaelic football exhibitions in Yarra Park.
Dees fans can purchase tickets to the 3:20pm game here, or tune in to the match via the Seven Network, Fox Footy or Kayo Sports.
