FORWARD Shannon Byrnes has been named in the side for Sunday's clash against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium, after missing round eight with a wrist injury. 

The Demons confirmed their final 22 on Friday afternoon, naming Byrnes, leader Jordie McKenzie, backman Daniel Nicholson and runner Rohan Bail on the interchange. 

Rebounder James Strauss, who has played three of his 21 AFL matches in 2013, has been left out of the side and named an emergency, along with defender Tom Gillies and ruckman Jake Spencer. 

Until last round, Byrnes had played every match for the season, but a wrist injury prompted Melbourne to rest the dual Geelong premiership player.

Elite performance manager David Mission said Byrnes was ready to play this week.

“Byrnesy had a minor wrist [injury] that he’d been carrying for a couple of weeks and we felt we just needed it to settle down,” he said.

On Thursday, Melbourne welcomed back versatile tall Jack Watts, after he missed the past three rounds with a hamstring injury. But the Demons lost youngster Jimmy Toumpas with an ankle injury. 

Coach Mark Neeld said Watts’ inclusion was important, given his ability to play up forward or down back.

“He’s shown in the last 12 to 18 months that he’s got good versatility at either end of the ground,” he said.

“We know that he’s a really good user of the footy, so if we can get the ball in his hands across half-back that will help us.”

Toumpas made his return to the Melbourne line-up last round, but rolled his ankle in the second quarter, which forced him to be subbed off.

Spencer had 36 hit outs and 13 disposals for the Scorpions last week, while providing great defensive pressure and involvement around the ground.

Gillies played in Melbourne’s opening two matches, but missed rounds three and four with a groin injury. He has since played in the VFL and been a solid contributor in the backline.

Round nine Melbourne team
B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Jack Watts, James Sellar, Colin Garland
C: Jack Trengove, Michael Evans, Matt Jones
HF: Luke Tapscott, Jeremy Howe, Neville Jetta
F: Max Gawn, Chris Dawes, Aaron Davey
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, James Magner
I/C: Shannon Byrnes, Jordie McKenzie, Daniel Nicholson, Rohan Bail
EMG: James Strauss, Tom Gillies, Jake Spencer
IN: Shannon Byrnes, Jack Watts
OUT: Jimmy Toumpas (ankle), James Strauss