MELBOURNE has named its first squad for its opening JLT Community Series clash against reigning premiers, the Western Bulldogs, at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The red and blue has named four players who are set to don the red and blue jumper for the first time.  

Boom recruit Jordan Lewis, the returning Jake Melksham, draftee Dion Johnstone and rookie Joel Smith have been named in the initial line-up.

Lewis, who played in four premierships for Hawthorn, was one of the biggest recruits of the off-season. Melksham is back with Melbourne after 12 months off.

Johnstone is an exciting young forward who was one of two selections by the club in last year’s NAB AFL Draft. And Smith is an emerging half-back and the son of former Kangaroo and Demon high-flyer Shaun.   

But a handful of key players will be missing including Dom Tyson (knee), Michael Hibberd (knee) and Dean Kent (back).

Co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney, and key forward Jesse Hogan are all among the squad.

The men’s match will be played at 4.40pm, with the women’s game between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs to follow at 7.35pm.

JLT Community Series: Melbourne round one squad v Western Bulldogs

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
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
36. Jeff Garlett
37. Dion Johnstone
42. Josh Wagner
43. James Harmes
44. Joel Smith

More to come