MELBOURNE has named first-year defender Harry Petty for his first AFL match, when the red and blue plays St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday.
Petty, 18, has impressed for Casey Demons in the VFL this year and has earned a call-up, after being named an emergency three times in 2018, including the past two rounds.
He is one of five inclusions in Melbourne’s 26-man squad.
Petty has been named in the starting 18, while goalsneak Charlie Spargo, speedster Billy Stretch, versatile big man Cam Pedersen and key forward Sam Weideman have been included on the extended interchange.
Tall Tim Smith, who has played four matches this year, has been omitted.
Spargo has played seven matches in his first AFL season, playing them from rounds six to 12.
Stretch has made one appearance this year – on Anzac Eve against Richmond at the MCG – but has been in top form for Casey in recent weeks.
Pedersen has been outstanding with Casey all season and has played three games for Melbourne this year, with his most recent coming against Collingwood on Queen’s Birthday.
And Weideman is in the mix after starring with seven goals for Casey last weekend. He has played four games this year from rounds five to eight.
Melbourne will be aiming to notch up its ninth win for the season and end a two-match losing streak, while the Saints entering having won their second game of the season.
‘The Welcome Game’ will also be held for the second year in a row, and again against the Saints.
Last year, more than 53,000 people attended the Melbourne and St Kilda clash at the MCG in round 21 for the inaugural Welcome Game, which encourages new fans or all backgrounds to experience at day at the ‘G watching the red and blue for the first time.
Melbourne squad: round 15
B: Harry Petty, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Michael Hibberd, Joel Smith, Jordan Lewis
C: Christian Petracca, Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw
HF: Christian Salem, Jesse Hogan, Clayton Oliver
F: Alex Neal-Bullen, Mitch Hannan, Tom McDonald
Foll: Max Gawn, Jake Melksham, Nathan Jones
I/C (from): James Harmes, Charlie Spargo, Dom Tyson, Billy Stretch, Cameron Pedersen, Bernie Vince, Sam Weideman, Bayley Fritsch
In: Petty, Spargo, Stretch, Pedersen, Weideman
Out: T.Smith
