MELBOURNE has named its squad for Saturday’s JLT Community Series clash against Carlton at Casey Fields, with a couple of Demons set to debut and two players out through injury.

Key recruit Michael Hibberd will play his first game for the red and blue after crossing from Essendon at the end of last season.

It will be Hibberd’s first match since round 22, 2015, when he played for the Bombers against Richmond at the MCG.

“Hibbo has built up slowly this pre-season, following his 12-month absence from the game. We’re really excited about him playing his first game for us. He’ll add some experience for us off half-back,” general manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said.

Draftee Dion Johnstone, who was an emergency in Melbourne’s six-point win over the Western Bulldogs at VU Whitten Oval last Saturday, will play his first official AFL match.

Johnstone was drafted at No.64 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft.

“Dion gets his opportunity this week after training really well. He will play in the forward half for us. We’re excited at the pressure that he brings and his tackling,” Mahoney said.

As expected, Melbourne has lost defender Josh Wagner (dislocated fibula) and will be out for four to six weeks.

And livewire forward Jeff Garlett will also be sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury.

“Scans showed a slight hamstring strain and Jeff will miss the next three to four weeks,” Mahoney said.

Mahoney confirmed that key forward Jack Watts would not play again this week and explained why.

“We think there has been some predictable, but unfair media speculation about Jack Watts’ non-selection. To clarify, the team is being selected on some key criteria, during the pre-season,” he said.

“Jack knows exactly what needs to be worked on and his past two or three weeks, he’s been working hard on what he needs to improve on in certain areas.

“He still remains a key player for us this season.”

Melbourne’s women’s team will play at 11:35am, before the men’s team plays at 2.05pm.

JLT Community Series: Round 2, Melbourne v Carlton

1. Jesse Hogan
2. Nathan Jones
3. Christian Salem
5. Christian Petracca
6. Jordan Lewis
7. Jack Viney
9. Jack Trengove
10. Angus Brayshaw
11. Max Gawn
13. Clayton Oilver
14. Michael Hibberd
15. Billy Stretch
18. Jake Melksham
20. Colin Garland
22. Aaron vandenBerg
23. Bernie Vince
24. Jay Kennedy-Harris
25. Tom McDonald
26. Sam Weideman
28. Oscar McDonald
29. Jayden Hunt
30. Alex Neal-Bullen
32. Tomas Bugg
33. Jake Spencer
37. Dion Johnstone
43. James Harmes
44. Joel Smith