MELBOURNE has added three players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against the Sydney Swans at the SCG.
Former co-captain Jack Grimes, midfielder Viv Michie and utility James Harmes have been included in the extended line-up.
They have been named on the interchange, along with the recently returned Jack Trengove, first-year player Clayton Oliver, speedster Jayden Hunt and tough-nut Ben Kennedy.
At this stage, there have been no omissions, with the final 22 to be named on Friday night.
Coach Paul Roos said a decision on how the team would line-up would be decided after Friday’s training session at Gosch’s Paddock.
“Grimes, Michie and Harmes have come into the squad of 25,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“At this stage, we’ve haven’t made any changes to last Monday’s side.
“We’ve still got training on Friday and we’ll determine the final team later that day.”
Grimes has been on the periphery of Melbourne’s 22 all season, having been named an emergency every week, except rounds two, five and six.
He has otherwise been playing strong football for the Scorpions.
Michie has been an emergency for the past three weeks, after playing three consecutive matches for Melbourne from rounds seven to nine.
The rookie-listed player was again one of Casey’s best against Collingwood at Casey Fields last Saturday.
Harmes missed his first match for the season last round, when he was an emergency in Melbourne’s Queen’s Birthday win over Collingwood at the MCG.
The forward/midfielder has impressed this year, receiving a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in Melbourne’s win against the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium in round seven, after winning 26 disposals and kicking three goals.
Melbourne will be playing its first match at the SCG since round eight, 2012 and just its second since 2007.
Melbourne team: round 13
B: Tomas Bugg, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Billy Stretch, Oscar McDonald, Josh Wagner
C: Jack Viney, Christian Petracca, Bernie Vince
HF: Dean Kent, Jack Watts, Aaron vandenBerg
F: Sam Frost, Jesse Hogan, Chris Dawes
Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson
I/C (from): Jack Trengove, Clayton Oliver, Viv Michie, Jayden Hunt, Jack Grimes, Ben Kennedy, James Harmes
In: Jack Grimes, Viv Michie, James Harmes
