MELBOURNE has named three players to pull on the red and blue guernsey for the first time this weekend in its Round 2 clash with Geelong.
The Demons will be leaning on some fresh faces to help them bounce back from last week’s flat start to the season, as they head down the highway to play at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
Former Gold Coast duo Steven May and Kade Kolodjashnij will be welcome inclusions for the Dees, while Casey Demons prodigy Jay Lockhart will make the unlikeliest of debuts just 15 days after being recruited to the club.
General Manager of Football and Operations Josh Mahoney says he’s thrilled Lockhart’s hard work has been rewarded.
“I’m really happy for Jay to earn his first opportunity to play for the Melbourne Football Club,” Mahoney told Melbourne Media.
“It’s been a pretty quick rise over the last couple of weeks from an outsider’s perspective, but what Jay’s been able to do over the last 12 to 15 months at Casey Demons is impressive.
“He’s progressed really well and he’s playing at an AFL level at the VFL, so he deserves his opportunity.”
Lockhart joins a long line of players to be recruited from Casey, which Mahoney said was a great sign for the club.
“We’ve continued to put more resources into Casey Demons football program to ensure that it aligns very closely with what we do at Melbourne,” he said.
“We’re seeing some really good results in the transition of players from Casey Demons through to senior football with Melbourne.”
While the 23-year-old will be playing his first senior game, last week’s debutant Marty Hore is one of three young Demons to miss out on selection.
Charlie Spargo and Corey Wagner have also been left out of the side to face the Cats, but on an exciting note for the club, May and Kolodjashnij will make their long-awaited Melbourne debuts.
“Both Kade and Steven joined the club for specific reasons and to play particular roles,” Mahoney said.
“They both get their first opportunities to do that this Saturday night against Geelong.”
May was a high profiled recruit in the 2018 trade period, making the move over from the Suns to bolster the Dees’ defence.
“Steven joined the club to play down back and assist with our other defenders,” Mahoney said.
“He provides great flexibility to be able to play on the big tall forwards but also smalls.”
Kolodjashnij was part of that same trade deal and has overcome an adductor strain to line up in the red and blue on Saturday night.
“Kade will really add to our midfield,” Mahoney said.
“He was identified a long way out before the trade period as a player that we liked the way he played.
“He’s an extremely good runner and he can play in a number of different positions. He has flexibility across half-back, wing, half-forward and through the midfield.
“We look forward to both of those guys playing and performing well.”
Check out the full side of 22 to play Geelong below:
