COACH Paul Roos says several Melbourne players are putting their hand up to be selected in Melbourne’s round two clash against Greater Western Sydney at StarTrack Oval in Canberra.

Although much of the selection talk has been about the likely inclusion of key forward Chris Dawes (after serving a one-match suspension carried over from round 23 last year) and Bernie Vince (who has played for Casey for the past two weeks after returning from a hamstring injury), Roos said there were others in the mix.

Speaking on Roos’ Views, he said midfielder Viv Michie had a “really good game” in the VFL last week and ruckman Jake Spencer was “starting to push up” for selection. He added that several others were staking their claims.

“Maxy Gawn has been solid through the pre-season as well and Jordie McKenzie hasn’t done a lot wrong either and Matty Jones didn’t play at all [last week as he was an emergency], so the good thing is that we’ve got guys in form,” he said.

“And then you add Bernie and Dawesy to it as well.”

Roos said Dawes and Vince would’ve been in the starting 22 in round one – if fit. But the challenge now is: who does Melbourne omit for Dawes and Vince?

“Who can you drop for them?’ What does that mean to the make-up of your team from last week?” he said.

“The good thing I’ve noticed around the club over the last week and a half – and Jack Grimes is a really good example – is that as much as they get frustrated about not playing, they seem to really want to put the club first now.

“I spoke to a few of those boys that missed out last week and they were really pleased for the team and they’ve just got to work hard now, so when they get their chance, they’re in good form to get back into the side.”