MELBOURNE has added five players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against Carlton at the MCG.
Midfielder Dom Tyson, Dean Kent, utility James Harmes, hard-nut Ben Kennedy and ruckman Jake Spencer have been added to the mix.
Harmes and Spencer, who were emergencies in round one, played in Casey’s win over Williamstown in a practice match last weekend. Tyson, Kent and Kennedy also played in the VFL.
At this stage, Melbourne has made just two forced changes, with 2015 best and fairest winner Bernie Vince out, due to suspension for striking St Kilda’s Nathan Wright at Etihad Stadium last Saturday.
And high-flyer Joel Smith, who made his AFL debut in round one, will miss the next three to four months due a shoulder injury sustained in the first quarter against the Saints.
Coach Simon Goodwin said match committee had several options to consider before locking in the final side.
“We’ve got a squad of 25 for this week’s game. [We’ve got] five good ins and we’ll narrow the field tomorrow (Friday),” he told Melbourne TV.
“The boys are really looking forward to it. It’s our first home game for our supporters and we’re excited by the challenge. We had a good result last week against the Saints and this week is really important to us.
“We know Carlton have done really well against us through the midfield at times, so it’s an area that we want to be as good as we can possibly be.”
Goodwin urged the Melbourne faithful to come out in force for its first home game of the season.
“I think it’s exciting for them. [It’s the] first home game to come out and watch their team,” he said.
“Hopefully what they’re starting to see is a really competitive group of young kids playing and putting in great effort and intensity.
“That’s what we want to see from them every week.”
The match starts at 3.20pm.
Meanwhile, Jack Trengove, Sam Frost, Cam Pedersen, Tom Bugg, Dion Johnstone, Tim Smith, Pat McKenna, Josh Wagner, Declan Keilty, Lochie Filipovic and Corey Maynard will line-up for Casey Demons against the Box Hill Hawks at Casey Fields in a VFL practice match on Saturday. Those who will miss out on the final 22 for Melbourne will also play for Casey.
Melbourne squad: round two
B: Jayden Hunt, Oscar McDonald, Jake Melksham
HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Nathan Jones
C: Christian Salem, Jordan Lewis, Billy Stretch
HF: Clayton Oliver, Sam Weideman, Jack Watts
F: Christian Petracca, Jesse Hogan, Jeff Garlett
Foll: Max Gawn, Angus Brayshaw, Jack Viney
I/C (from): Dom Tyson, Dean Kent, Mitch Hannan, Alex Neal-Bullen, Jake Spencer, Ben Kennedy, James Harmes
In: James Harmes, Dean Kent, Ben Kennedy, Dom Tyson, Jake Spencer
Out: Joel Smith (shoulder), Bernie Vince (suspension)
