MELBOURNE has lost defender Neville Jetta (calf) and big man Jake Spencer (concussion) for Sunday’s clash against Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Demons confirmed their final 22 on Friday afternoon, leaving out forward Jack Watts.
First-year Demons Billy Stretch and Alex Neal-Bullen have been named on the bench, along with midfielders Ben Newton and Viv Michie.
Watts, ruckman Mark Jamar and utility Matt Jones are the emergencies.
As announced on Thursday, debutant Mitch White and fellow youngsters Angus Brayshaw, James Harmes and Jay Kennedy-Harris have were named in the starting 18, while M.Jones was omitted.
Manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said the game was an opportunity for White and his fellow inclusions to impress.
“Hopefully playing this game will give Mitch a taste of what is required at AFL level and inspire him to attack pre-season with a hunger for more games, along with his other exciting young teammates,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“It’s exciting to see four young players come into the team for the last game of the year.”
White, a young defender who was drafted from TAC Cup club Dandenong Stingrays, is set to become Melbourne’s eighth AFL debutant of 2015 after he was elevated from the rookie list on Thursday.
He earned his first senior match after racking up 16 disposals, four tackles and three contested marks in Casey’s loss to Sandringham last week.
Brayshaw has played 21 games and earned a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in an excellent first year, while Harmes has played seven games since making his debut in round 15.
Kennedy-Harris, who has played seven games in his second season, returns after collecting 17 disposals, nine tackles and two goals for Casey last week.
The game against GWS Giants kicks off at 1.10pm at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Melbourne Squad: Round 23 v GWS Giants
B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe
HB: Daniel Cross, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem
C: Jack Grimes, Bernie Vince, Mitch White
HF: James Harmes, Oscar McDonald, Angus Brayshaw
F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jay Kennedy-Harris
Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney
I/C: Billy Stretch, Ben Newton, Viv Michie, Alex Neal-Bullen
Emg: Jack Watts, Mark Jamar, Matt Jones
IN: Kennedy-Harris, Harmes, Brayshaw, White
OUT: Jetta (calf), Spencer (concussion), M. Jones, Watts
NEW: White
Milestone: Howe (100 games)
