MELBOURNE has made four changes for Saturday night’s clash against Fremantle at TIO Stadium.
Coming into the side is key defender Sam Frost, goalkicker Jeff Garlett, speedster Billy Stretch and crumber Charlie Spargo.
Out of the line-up is forward Mitch Hannan, first-year Demon Harry Petty, midfielder Dom Tyson and tall Sam Weideman.
Spargo will play his eighth AFL game, after making his debut in round six against Essendon at Etihad Stadium. He played the next seven matches, before being an emergency for the past two rounds.
Garlett, who played the opening five matches of the season, will make his sixth appearance this year and line-up for his 173rd AFL game.
Stretch has featured in just one match for Melbourne this year – the Anzac Eve loss to Richmond at the MCG – but he has been in excellent form for Casey and has been an emergency for the past four rounds.
And Frost will play his third game this year, after playing against North Melbourne and Hawthorn in rounds three and four respectively.
Coach Simon Goodwin said the team was determined to bounce back strongly after a frustrating two-point loss to St Kilda at the MCG last round.
“It was a disappointing day and disappointing for us internally of how we played, but also for our supporters and members,” he said.
“It certainly wasn’t to the level that we expected ourselves and we’re looking forward to this week and responding in the appropriate manner.”
Goodwin said the team was ready for its clash in the Top End.
“Our second NT game for the year – we’re really looking forward to getting up there. We’re enjoying some pretty cold weather in Melbourne at the moment, so to get up to Darwin in some hot conditions will be good,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to playing a really good physical, defensive style brand of footy that can certainly entertain as well.
“We’re really looking forward to getting our game on track, but also real growth areas that we can work on to try and get the result that we’re looking for.”
Melbourne will be aiming for its ninth win of the season and attempting to end a three-match losing streak. The Demons enter round 16 seventh on the ladder.
Melbourne
B: Joel Smith, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Angus Brayshaw, Michael Hibberd, Jordan Lewis
C: James Harmes, Clayton Oliver, Nathan Jones
HF: Bayley Fritsch, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham
F: Charlie Spargo, Sam Frost, Tom McDonald
Foll: Max Gawn, Jack Viney, Christian Salem
I/C: Billy Stretch, Christian Petracca, Alex Neal-Bullen, Jeff Garlett
Emg: Mitch Hannan, Bernie Vince, Sam Weideman, Declan Keilty
In: Frost, Garlett, Stretch, Spargo
Out: Hannan, Harry Petty, Dom Tyson, Weideman
