MELBOURNE has added four players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against St Kilda at the MCG.
The Demons have included ruckman Mark Jamar, former co-captain Jack Grimes, midfielder Viv Michie and utility Matt Jones.
The four players have been named on the extended interchange, along with father/son recruit Billy Stretch, draftee Alex Neal-Bullen and rookie James Harmes.
Small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris has been left out of last Sunday’s 24-point win over the Brisbane Lions at the MCG.
Manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Jamar, Grimes, Michie and M.Jones were all pushing hard for a call-up.
“Included into the squad this week is Jack Grimes, who has recovered very well from a broken thumb,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“He has played two games for Casey now and played very well last week.
“Mark Jamar has been in terrific form for a number of weeks now and Viv Michie has also been in very good form and Matt Jones has also played well for Casey.
“They all deserve to be in the mix this week.”
Mahoney said Kennedy-Harris needed a good hit out, after easing back from a groin injury and being a sub – either starting or being subbed out – in the past two matches.
“Jay’s had a disjointed last four or five weeks and it’s important for him to get some game time and find some form at Casey,” he said.
The Demons will play the Saints for the second time this year. It will be the first time Melbourne has met an opponent twice in 2015.
The Dees went down by two points in dramatic circumstances against the Saints in round 11 at Etihad Stadium.
Melbourne will also be aiming to snap an 11-game losing streak against St Kilda.
The red and blue’s most recent win over the Saints was its second elimination final win in 2006.
Melbourne team: round 17
B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Neville Jetta
HB: Daniel Cross, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe
C: Bernie Vince, Dom Tyson, Heritier Lumumba
HF: Aaron vandenBerg, Chris Dawes, Angus Brayshaw
F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jack Watts
Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney
I/C (from): Billy Stretch, Viv Michie, Alex Neal-Bullen, Jack Grimes, Mark Jamar, James Harmes, Matt Jones
In: Mark Jamar, Jack Grimes, Viv Michie, Matt Jones
Out: Jay Kennedy-Harris (omitted)
