MELBOURNE will unveil two debutants when it hosts the Brisbane Lions at Casey Fields on Friday night at 7.05pm.
The Demons have named key forward Eden Zanker and former netballer/lifesaver Claudia Whitfort for their first AFLW game.
Melbourne has also recalled ruck Lauren Pearce and defender Brooke Patterson.
But the Dees have lost fellow defender Meg Downie, due to a shoulder injury.
Three players have been omitted: key defender Laura Duryea, ruck Erin Hoare and forward Alyssa Mifsud.
Tasmanian Emma Humphries and first-year Demon Maddy Guerin are the emergencies.
Zanker (selection No.6) and Whitfort (No.30) were drafted by the red and blue in last year’s NAB AFLW Draft.
Melbourne will be aiming to bounce back from two losses on the road against Fremantle at Fremantle Oval in round three, and Collingwood at TIO Traeger Park last Saturday.
The Demons won their first two matches of the season against GWS Giants and Adelaide respectively, both at Casey Fields.
This will be Melbourne third’s match at home this season, as it attempts to end a two-match losing streak and notch up its third win of 2018.
Melbourne team: round five
B: Harriet Cordner, Anna Teague, Bianca Jakobsson
HB: Karen Paxman, Katherine Smith, Ashleigh Guest
C: Elise O’Dea
HF: Kate Hore, Richelle Cranston, Cat Phillips
F: Aliesha Newman, Tegan Cunningham, Shelley Scott
Foll: Lauren Pearce, Daisy Pearce, Mel Hickey
I/C: Lily Mithen, Jas Grierson, Brooke Patterson, Eden Zanker, Claudia Whitfort
Emg: Emma Humphries, Maddy Guerin
In: Eden Zanker, Claudia Whitfort, Lauren Pearce, Brooke Patterson
Out: Meg Downie (shoulder), Laura Duryea, Erin Hoare, Alyssa Mifsud
