MELBOURNE has made just one change for its clash against its greatest rival Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday.
The Demons have recalled first-year Demon Alex Neal-Bullen, after he notched up 40 disposals for Casey against Collingwood at Casey Fields last Sunday.
He has replaced his good mate and fellow 2015 debutant Billy Stretch, who has played eight matches this season, including the past six rounds.
It will be Neal-Bullen’s sixth AFL match for the season.
Midfielder Jordie McKenzie, ruckman Mark Jamar and utility Matt Jones have been named emergencies.
Manager of football Josh Mahoney said Neal-Bullen has forced his way back in the side after a commanding performance.
“Alex returned to the VFL last week and performed very well. He did what the match committee wanted him to do and he’s earned his place back in the side this week,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“Billy has performed really well for a first year player and his last couple of weeks, he’s dropped off slightly. But I’m sure Billy will work his way back into the side.
“The match committee has opted not to make drastic changes this week and give a number of players another opportunity to prove themselves.”
Coach Paul Roos said he would monitor some of the younger players towards the end of the season.
“A few of the young guys are a bit tired and we need to really keep an eye on that,” he told Roos’ Views.
“I watched the game [against St Kilda] again, early in the week, and there was probably a couple who looked a bit better than I thought and a couple who I thought looked a bit tired.
“We need to pick a team that can win, but also protecting the younger guys is important at this time of the year as well.”
Roos said Jamar and McKenzie were doing their utmost at VFL level.
“It’s frustrating for Mark, because not many teams do play the two ruckmen,” he said.
“We went with it earlier in the year, but as it gets a bit wet and drizzly at the MCG, the ball’s on the deck a little bit more, so that makes it even harder. To his credit, he had another really good game last week.
“Jordie’s always really consistent at VFL level.”
It will be the second time Melbourne has played Collingwood this year.
The Demons went down to the Magpies by 25 points on Queen’s Birthday, round 10.
Melbourne will be aiming to notch up its first win over Collingwood since round 11, 2007.
Melbourne team: round 18
B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Neville Jetta
HB: Daniel Cross, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe
C: Jack Grimes, Dom Tyson, Heritier Lumumba
HF: Angus Brayshaw, Chris Dawes, Bernie Vince
F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jack Watts
Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney
I/C: Viv Michie, Alex Neal-Bullen, Aaron vandenBerg, James Harmes
EMG: Jordie McKenzie, Mark Jamar, Matt Jones
In: Alex Neal-Bullen
Out: Billy Stretch
