MELBOURNE has named captain Nathan Jones and reigning Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy winner Bernie Vince for Sunday’s second NAB Challenge clash against the Western Bulldogs at Craigieburn.
Along with Jones and Vince, Melbourne has included midfielder Viv Michie, utility Alex Neal-Bullen and defender Dean Terlich in the 29-man squad.
Michie, Neal-Bullen and Terlich were emergencies for the red and blue’s first NAB Challenge match against Port Adelaide at Elizabeth last Saturday, which Melbourne won by 19 points.
Jones returns from a knock to the knee – after overcoming neck surgery at the end of last season – and Vince is back after battling some niggles in the pre-season, including a broken finger.
As already known, midfielder Angus Brayshaw (knee) will miss the next four weeks, after injuring his medial ligament in the opening seconds of last weekend’s clash.
And as announced on Thursday morning, key forward Jesse Hogan will be rested, as part of his preparation for the season proper.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said the club was happy with where Hogan was at.
“Jesse won’t play this week. We’re really happy with his pre-season and where he’s at,” he told Dee TV.
“He played reasonable minutes last week, so we just think that moving forward for his preparation for round one and the first half of the season, it’s the right thing to do to give him the weekend off.
“He’ll do some good training this week and get ready for NAB [Challenge, week] three.”
Melbourne will take on the Bulldogs at Highgate Recreational Reserve, Craigieburn at 2.05pm.
The match will be followed by a curtain-closer between the Melbourne and Bulldogs at 5.10pm.
Melbourne squad
2. Nathan Jones
3. Christian Salem
4. Jack Watts
7. Jack Viney
11. Max Gawn
12. Dom Tyson
13. Clayton Oliver
14. Lynden Dunn
15. Billy Stretch
16. Dean Kent
17. Sam Frost
20. Colin Garland
21. Cameron Pedersen
22. Viv Michie
23. Bernie Vince
25. Tom McDonald
28. Oscar McDonald
29. Jayden Hunt
30. Alex Neal-Bullen
31. Jack Grimes
32. Tomas Bugg
35. Ben Kennedy
36. Jeff Garlett
37. Aaron vandenBerg
39. Neville Jetta
42. Josh Wagner
43. James Harmes
45. Matt Jones
46. Dean Terlich
In: N.Jones, Neal-Bullen, Michie, Terlich, Vince
Out: Brayshaw (knee), Hogan (rested)
Note: Final team to be confirmed in lead-up to Sunday’s match
