YOUNG key forward Jesse Hogan will miss this Sunday’s match against Geelong due to hamstring tightness.
Hogan was named in Melbourne’s squad on Thursday night but was withdrawn from the side on Friday, with Jordie McKenzie brought into the squad of 25.
Manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said the decision to rest Hogan was a matter of managing the forward throughout the year.
“Jesse had some soreness in his hamstring in last week’s game and did well to get through the game, playing with that,” Mahoney told melbournefc.com.au.
“Unfortunately it hasn’t recovered this week and, given we’ve got the bye next week, we made the decision to give him every chance to recover from this and prepare for the second half of the year.
“This is another example of how we’re managing Jesse through his first year of AFL football.”
Hogan has played 10 games this year and kicked 22 goals, including a career high of five against St Kilda in round 11.
Melbourne will name its final team on Friday evening, with three players to be omitted from the squad of 25.