ANGUS Brayshaw, Bayley Fritsch and Corey Wagner will play their first games for the year this Friday against North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval.

Brayshaw returns to the field after sustaining an arm injury in January, while Fritsch was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s Marsh Community Series match against Adelaide.

Kangaroos practice match to be live streamed

They’ll be part of a team that blends experience and youth, with five players selected who have yet to make their AFL debuts – Toby Bedford, James Jordon, Trent Rivers, Kyasiah Pickett and Austin Bradtke.

GM of Football Operations told Melbourne Media that the match was a vital part of the Demons' preparation for the 2020 season during a gap in the Marsh Community Series schedule.

“This week’s practice match gives us a chance to get some valuable game time into a number of players,” Mahoney said.

“On Friday, we will see the return on Angus Brayshaw following his elbow injury, and Bayley Fritsch will play after missing last week’s Marsh Series game. Corey Wagner will also have his first hit out for the year.

“A number of our senior players are being managed this week in preparation for our Marsh Series game against Hawthorn, which presents a great opportunity for our younger players and VFL-listed Casey Demons players to play.

In total, 18 Melbourne-listed players will take part in the match, with eight Casey Demons’ VFL players to top up the squad (VFL players to be confirmed before the bounce).

Practice match squad

9. C.Spargo
10. A.Brayshaw
12. T.Bedford
18. J.Melksham
20. A.Tomlinson
23. J.Jordon
24. T.Rivers
28. O.McDonald
29. J.Hunt
31. B.Fritsch
32. T.Sparrow
33. O.Baker
34. M.Hore
36. K.Pickett
38. M.Brown
40. C.Wagner
41. J.Lockhart
42. J.Wagner
46. A.Bradtke

Eight VFL players to top up the squad.

Match details

North Melbourne v Melbourne - free entry
Friday 28 February, 1.10pm (AEDT)
Arden Street Oval (204-206 Arden St, North Melbourne)
Live stream to commence at 1.00pm (AEDT) on melbournefc.com.au and the club app