MELBOURNE has added six players to its squad for Monday’s Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood at the MCG.
Coming into the extended squad are speedster Billy Stretch, versatile tall Cam Pedersen, rebounder Jayden Hunt, defender Harry Petty, goalkicker Jeff Garlett and high-flyer Joel Smith.
As already known, Melbourne has lost defender Jake Lever for the rest of the season, after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium last round.
Tall forward Tim Smith, who hurt his neck and ankle against the Bulldogs, has been left out of the side.
Stretch, forward Mitch Hannan, Pedersen, Hunt, utility Alex Neal-Bullen, Petty, Garlett and J.Smith have been named on the initial bench.
If Petty plays, he will make his AFL debut, after he was drafted by Melbourne at No.37 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft.
Hunt is looking to add his sixth match for the season, with his most recent game coming in round seven against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
Garlett played in the opening five rounds, while Pedersen played in Melbourne’s first two games of the season and Stretch has made one appearance, against Richmond on Anzac Day Eve.
Jake Melksham has been named in the starting 18, after injuring his ankle against the Bulldogs last round.
The final team will be named on Saturday afternoon.
Round 12: Melbourne v Collingwood
Monday, June 11, 3.20pm AEST
MCG (home)
Melbourne
B: Christian Salem, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Angus Brayshaw, Michael Hibberd, Jordan Lewis
C: Bernie Vince, Jack Viney, Nathan Jones
HF: Bayley Fritsch, Tom McDonald, Clayton Oliver
F: Charlie Spargo, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham
Foll: Max Gawn, James Harmes, Christian Petracca
I/C (from): Billy Stretch, Mitch Hannan, Cameron Pedersen, Jayden Hunt, Alex Neal-Bullen, Harrison Petty, Jeff Garlett, Joel Smith
In: Stretch, Pedersen, Hunt, Petty, Garlett, J.Smith
Out: Lever (knee), T.Smith