MELBOURNE has made two changes for Saturday’s clash against Collingwood at TIO Traeger Park, Alice Springs, starting at 5.40pm CST.
Key defender Harriet Cordner has been named for her first match of the season, while forward Alyssa Mifsud will return after missing last week.
Midfielder Emma Humphries has been left out of the side, but will remain as an emergency, while ruck Lauren Pearce has also been omitted.
Rookie Anna Teague has been named as an emergency.
Saturday’s match will be the first game of the NAB AFL Women’s competition ever to be held in Alice Springs, and will also be the second consecutive interstate trip for Melbourne.
The Demons arrived in the Red Centre on Wednesday, flying in from Perth after their Round 3 match, and have been visiting remote communities in the area.
The team will take part in several more activities ahead of the weekend.
The Alice Springs locals have been eager for the historic game to get underway; the town buzzing with excitement.
Melbourne will be out to redeem itself following last week’s disappointing five-point loss to Fremantle, while the Magpies will be after their first win of the season.
Skipper Daisy Pearce, vice-captain Elise O’Dea and key recruit Bianca Jakobsson have been among Melbourne’s best so far this year, while Karen Paxman has been unstoppable through the midfield.
Ainslie Kemp (knee) and Sarah Lampard (hamstring) remain on the sidelines.
Melbourne AFLW team: round four
B: Harriet Cordner, Laura Duryea, Katherine Smith
HB: Ashleigh Guest, Bianca Jackobsson, Elise O’Dea
C: Jasmine Grierson
HF: Kate Hore, Shelley Scott, Aliesha Newman
F: Richelle Cranston, Tegan Cunningham, Lily Mithen
Foll: Erin Hoare, Karen Paxman, Daisy Pearce
I/C: Alyssa Mifsud, Cat Phillips, Brooke Patterson, Meg Downie, Melissa Hickey
Emg: Anna Teague, Emma Humphries
In: Alyssa Mifsud, Harriet Cordner
Out: Lauren Pearce, Emma Humphries
Not playing: Ainslie Kemp (knee), Sarah Lampard (hamstring), Maddy Guerin, Maddie Shevlin, Anna Teague, Claudia Whitfort, Eden Zanker
