MELBOURNE has included five players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against St Kilda at the MCG.
The Demons have named midfielder Angus Brayshaw, speedster Billy Stretch, first-year player Mitch Hannan, young tall Sam Weideman and rebounder Josh Wagner to their squad of 25.
Hannan has been named at full-forward, while Brayshaw, Stretch, Weideman, Wagner, forward Jack Watts, utility James Harmes and last week’s debutant Corey Maynard have been named on the extended bench.
Defenders Christian Salem and Sam Frost have been omitted.
Brayshaw is in contention to play his first AFL match since round two, after missing much of the season due to two separate concussion incidents.
From rounds six to 17, he played just one match in mid-May.
But he has played the past three matches for Casey Demons and was his side’s best against Sandringham last round, winning 34 disposals.
Stretch is looking to add to his eight appearances, with his most recent coming in round 16. He too has been in good form in the VFL.
Weideman is also chance to play his first match since round nine and add to his six appearances this season, following some impressive form for Casey.
Wagner, who has played seven matches this year, was a carryover emergency for Melbourne’s clash against GWS Giants in Canberra last round. He too is in the mix.
For Salem and Frost, it is the first time this year the duo has been left out of the side.
Salem missed one match through suspension in round 10 and was sidelined with a hamstring injury from rounds 15 to 17.
Frost has played every game since round four, after a foot injury interrupted him in the pre-season matches and early in the season.
The match will see Melbourne (10th) up against St Kilda (11th) in a crucial battle for both clubs.
The game starts at 1.10pm.
Melbourne team: round 21
B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Bernie Vince, Cam Pedersen, Jayden Hunt
C: Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver, Jordan Lewis
HF: Christian Petracca, Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham
F: Jeff Garlett, Mitch Hannan, Alex Neal-Bullen
Foll: Max Gawn, Dom Tyson, Jack Viney
I/C (from): Jack Watts, Angus Brayshaw, Billy Stretch, Sam Weideman, Josh Wagner, James Harmes, Corey Maynard
In: Brayshaw, Stretch, Hannan, Weideman, Wagner
Out: Salem, Frost
