JOSH Wagner has been named for his first game of the season after Melbourne finalised its 22 for Sunday’s clash against Hawthorn at the MCG.
The Demons have made two changes, after announcing on Thursday night that key forward Jesse Hogan was back in the side.
Utility Alex Neal-Bullen has been left out of the team for the first time this season, with defender Jake Melksham omitted from the initial 25-man squad.
The silky-skilled Christian Salem, ball-winner Dom Tyson, backman Oscar McDonald and Wagner have been named on the interchange.
Speedster Billy Stretch, long-kicking left-footer Dean Kent and Neal-Bullen have been named emergencies.
Coach Simon Goodwin said it was important that the team didn’t have to make forced changes.
“For the first time in a while, we can settle our team down a bit. We’ve only got the two changes this week,” he told Melbourne TV.
“Jesse Hogan comes back into the team and he’s had a really strong week, after a difficult period and he’s looking forward to playing.
“And Josh Wagner, who has had some injuries throughout the pre-season, came out and played [strongly] in the VFL last week and earns his opportunity and we’re looking forward to getting him into the side.”
Hogan is back in the side after he missed round six due to the sad passing of his father, Tony. It will be the key forward’s fourth match this season, after he was suspended for rounds three and four.
Wagner will to play his first game for 2017, after an injured-riddled start to the year.
He played in Melbourne’s first JLT Community Series match of the pre-season, but suffered a fractured fibula and missed the next five weeks. Wagner made his return via the VFL and played two practice matches for Casey, before he injured his thumb and missed two more weeks.
But he returned for Casey against Geelong at Simonds Stadium last Saturday and impressed with 21 disposals.
Stretch played the first five games of the season and Kent, who battled a back injury in the pre-season, has made two appearances this season in rounds three and four.
The 3.20pm match will be four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis’ first game against his former side Hawthorn.
Melbourne squad: round seven
B: Michael Hibberd, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Jayden Hunt, Sam Frost, Jordan Lewis
C: Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver, Tom Bugg
HF: Christian Petracca, Jack Watts, Mitch Hannan
F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jay Kennedy-Harris
Foll: Cam Pedersen, Bernie Vince, Jack Viney
I/C (from): Christian Salem, Dom Tyson, Oscar McDonald, Josh Wagner
Emg: Billy Stretch, Dean Kent, Alex Neal-Bullen
In: Hogan, Wagner
Out: Jake Melksham, Neal-Bullen
