MELBOURNE has added six players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium.
As reported, Jake Melksham, Michael Hibberd and Sam Weideman will return for the Demons, while Dean Kent, Mitch Hannan and Josh Wagner have also been named in the 26-man squad.
Two players have been ruled out at this stage: speedster Jayden Hunt (ankle) and key forward Jesse Hogan (foot), who sustained injuries in last Sunday’s clash against Sydney at the MCG.
Kent, Melksham, Hannan and Wagner have been named on the extended bench, along with Cameron Pedersen, Jay Kennedy Harris, Bayley Fritsch and Jeff Garlett.
Hibberd will return for his first game since round 17 – he missed with a quadriceps injury – while Melksham’s healed hamstring will grant him a spot back in the team.
Following strong performances in the VFL for Casey Demons, Weideman will play his sixth senior game of the year, with the red and blue looking to find suitable replacements for their injury list.
Wagner and Kent will be aiming to play their first games since round five against Richmond, while Hannan will look to work his way back into the side after being an emergency last week.
Following a nine-point loss to Sydney in round 21, Melbourne will be hoping to get back on the winners’ list and push for a finals appearance. If successful, it will be its 13th win of the season.
The clash will be the first against the Eagles this year, as will it be the first time the red and blue play at the new Optus Stadium.
Melbourne squad: round 22
B: Neville Jetta, Oscar McDonald, Jordan Lewis
HB: Christian Salem, Sam Frost, James Harmes
C: Alex Neal-Bullen, Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw
HF: Charlie Spargo, Sam Weideman, Aaron vandenBerg
F: Michael Hibberd, Tom McDonald, Dom Tyson
Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Christian Petracca
I/C (from): Dean Kent, Jake Melksham, Mitch Hannan, Cameron Pedersen, Jay Kennedy Harris, Bayley Fritsch, Jeff Garlett, Josh Wagner
In: Hibberd, Kent, Melksham, Hannan, Weideman, Wagner
Out: Hogan (foot), Hunt (ankle)
