MELBOURNE has added six players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against Essendon at Etihad Stadium, including tall utility Cam Pedersen for his first game of the season.
The Demons have rushed back four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis into the starting 18, after he served a three-match suspension.
Recruit Mitch Hannan has been named at full-forward, after he being a carryover player for last Monday night’s ANZAC Day Eve match.
Hard-nut Tom Bugg has also been named on the seven-man bench, after starring for Casey last weekend with 32 disposals and five goals.
Second-year Demon Sam Weideman is also back in contention, after missing last week.
And defender Oscar McDonald could return after being an emergency the past two rounds and playing in the VFL.
As announced earlier on Thursday, goalkicking ace Jesse Hogan will not play, due to the sad passing of his father, Tony.
And as expected, ruckman Jake Spencer (shoulder) and rookie Tim Smith (lung) have been ruled out after suffering injuries against Richmond at the MCG last round.
No players have been omitted – at this stage – with Christian Salem, Dom Tyson, Billy Stretch, O.McDonald, Bugg, Weideman and James Harmes named on the extended interchange.
The final team will be announced on Friday evening.
Pedersen, who was an emergency in round three against Geelong at Etihad Stadium, has been in strong form for Casey.
Lewis played in the opening two rounds of the season, but was rubbed out for striking Carlton’s Patrick Cripps.
Hannan played the first four games of the season, before being an emergency last week.
Spencer will miss the next six to seven weeks his injury, with a timeframe yet to be placed on Smith, as he is still in hospital.
Meanwhile, popular Demon Neville Jetta will play his 100th AFL match.
Melbourne team: round six
B: Michael Hibberd, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Jordan Lewis, Sam Frost, Bernie Vince
C: Jayden Hunt, Nathan Jones, Jake Melksham
HF: Christian Petracca, Jack Watts, Alex Neal-Bullen
F: Jay Kennedy-Harris, Mitch Hannan, Jeff Garlett
Foll: Cam Pedersen, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney
I/C (from): Christian Salem, Dom Tyson, Billy Stretch, Oscar McDonald, Tom Bugg, Sam Weideman, James Harmes
In: Jordan Lewis, Tom Bugg, Cam Pedersen, Sam Weideman, Oscar McDonald, Mitch Hannan
Out: Jake Spencer (shoulder), Tim Smith (lung), Jesse Hogan (personal)
