MELBOURNE has made just one change for Saturday’s clash against the Gold Coast Suns at the Gabba.
Coming back into the side is classy Demon Christian Salem, who missed last round’s win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, due to a broken thumb.
He has replaced dashing half-back Jayden Hunt, who has been omitted.
Melbourne has named Hunt, Jeff Garlett, Tim Smith and Josh Wagner as its emergencies. Garlett and Wagner played the opening five matches of the season, but have since been emergencies. Smith has yet to play this season, but will be an emergency for the fourth consecutive round.
Coach Simon Goodwin said Salem had worked hard to get back into the side after missing just one match.
“Christian Salem is coming back from a broken thumb. He’s done a fantastic job in rehab and omitted out of the team is Jayden Hunt,” he told Melbourne Media.
Goodwin said the team was eager to keep building on its past two weeks, which have produced two wins.
“It was great for the footy club last week,” he said.
“We’re starting to build some momentum through the season. Getting two wins in a row was a terrific performance. I thought we continued on in a very similar vein to how we played the week before.
“We’ve settled the team down a bit and it’s paying dividends.”
But Goodwin said taking on the Suns up in Brisbane would be no easy feat.
“It’s back to the Gabba for the second time in six weeks … this time against the Gold Coast,” he said.
“Gold Coast is playing some terrific footy. They’ve changed the way they’re playing – they’re playing a real contest-based game and we know we’re going to be in for a real fight up there.
“It’s going to be a real hard-fought game, especially in and around the contest, but we feel like we’ve selected a really strong footy team.”
This will be just the second game between the two sides at the Gabba – and the first since round four, 2011, which was their inaugural meeting. For the record, the Demons won that match by 90 points under former coach, the late Dean Bailey.
Round Eight
Saturday, May 12
Gold Coast Suns v Melbourne
Gabba, Away, 4.35pm (AEST)
Melbourne
B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Angus Brayshaw, Jake Lever, Bernie Vince
C: Jordan Lewis, Nathan Jones, Christian Salem
HF: James Harmes, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham
F: Sam Weideman, Tom McDonald, Christian Petracca
Foll: Max Gawn, Dom Tyson, Clayton Oliver
I/C: Charlie Spargo, Mitch Hannan, Alex Neal-Bullen, Bayley Fritsch
Emg: Jayden Hunt, Jeff Garlett, Tim Smith, Josh Wagner
In: Salem
Out: Jayden Hunt
Gold Coast Suns
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Rory Thompson, Steven May
HB: Aaron Hall, Jack Leslie, Callum Ah Chee
C: Jack Bowes, Jarryd Lyons, Lachie Weller
HF: Nick Holman, Brayden Crossley, Charlie Ballard
F: Jack Martin, Sam Day, Aaron Young
Foll: Jarrod Witts, Touk Miller, David Swallow
I/C: Alex Sexton, Ben Ainsworth, Brad Scheer, Michael Rischitelli
Emg: Max Spencer, Jacob Heron, Will Brodie, Connor Nutting
In: May, Leslie, Hall
Out: Matt Rosa, Jesse Joyce, Max Spencer
