MELBOURNE has added three players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against Gold Coast Suns at the MCG.
The Demons have added key forward Jack Fitzpatrick, midfielder Jimmy Toumpas and rookie Neville Jetta to the 25-man squad.
At this stage, no player has been left out of last round’s 23-point win over Carlton at the MCG.
Fitzpatrick, Toumpas and Jetta have been named on the interchange, along with small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris, second-year Demon Matt Jones, long kicking left-footer Dean Kent and midfielder Michael Evans.
Jetta was upgraded to the senior list on Thursday, after former co-captain Jack Trengove was placed on the long-term injury list, following his season-ending navicular bone injury was revealed earlier in the week.
Jetta, who was originally drafted at No.51 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, has played 41 matches for the Demons after making his AFL debut in round one, 2009 against North Melbourne.
The 24-year-old was delisted at the end of the 2013 season, but was given another opportunity via last November’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft, when he was selected at No.50.
Injuries have hindered Jetta’s career, but he has started the 2014 season in strong form for Casey, earning his promotion.
Manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Jetta’s return to the squad was well earned.
“This is a great reward for Neville and a disappointing result with Jack Trengove, who we’ve been able to place on the long-term injury list. This has allowed Neville to be upgraded,” he said.
“Neville has been our most in form player at VFL level for the past three to four weeks, so he thoroughly deserves his opportunity to be in the squad of 25 for this week.”
Fitzpatrick played the opening three matches of the season, before returning to the VFL last round, where he kicked three goals in Casey’s 16-point loss to Geelong at Casey Fields.
Toumpas played in the first two rounds, but has spent the past two weeks in the VFL. Last weekend, Toumpas had 29 disposals for the Scorpions.
Melbourne is aiming for consecutive wins for the first time since rounds 13 and 14, 2011, when it defeated Fremantle (round 13) and Richmond (round 14).
The Demons will play the Suns at 3.20pm.
Melbourne team: round five
B: Alex Georgiou, Tom McDonald, Lynden Dunn
HB: Dean Terlich, James Frawley, Jack Grimes
C: Jack Viney, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince
HF: Jack Watts, Cam Pedersen, Jordie McKenzie
F: Jeremy Howe, Chris Dawes, Rohan Bail
FOLL: Jake Spencer, Nathan Jones, Daniel Cross
I/C (from): Jay Kennedy-Harris, Matt Jones, Dean Kent, Neville Jetta, Jimmy Toumpas, Michael Evans, Jack Fitzpatrick
IN: Jack Fitzpatrick, Neville Jetta, JimmyToumpas
OUT: –
