MELBOURNE has made five changes to its final team for Sunday’s clash against West Coast at Optus Stadium.
Dean Kent and Mitch Hannan have been named in the side, along with the recalled Michael Hibberd, Jake Melksham and Sam Weideman – the Demons confirmed the return of the trio on Thursday.
The inclusions replace the injured Jesse Hogan (foot) and Jayden Hunt (ankle), while Cam Pedersen, Jay Kennedy Harris and Jeff Garlett have been omitted.
Josh Wagner has been named as an emergency alongside Pedersen, Kennedy Harris and Garlett.
Kent, who was sidelined for nine weeks with a hamstring injury he sustained in round five, will make his return after impressing in the VFL for Casey Demons.
The 24-year-old finished with three goals in last weekend’s win over Sandringham, with Sunday’s match set to be his fourth game of the season at the senior level.
Weideman’s recall also comes after a string of strong performances for Casey – he has been a multiple goal scorer in recent weeks – while Mitch Hannan returns after being an emergency last week.
And the red and blue will be with Hibberd for the first time since round 17 – he missed with a quadriceps injury – as well as the 151-gamer in Melksham, who had been sidelined since round 19 due to a hamstring.
With the injured duo close to coming back into the side last week, coach Simon Goodwin said they were solid additions to this week’s team.
“We’re fortunate to get those guys back,” Goodwin told Melbourne Media.
“They’re important players to us and they bring a bit of leadership and stability to our team.”
Melbourne will look to get itself back on the winners’ list after a disappointing nine-point loss to the Swans at the MCG last Sunday.
“To Sydney’s credit, they got the game the way that they wanted it and the way that they play their best footy,” Goodwin said.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to execute the things that we knew would take away their strength, but also the formula that’s really worked for us – we weren’t able to display that, which was disappointing.”
In what will be the first time Melbourne go up against West Coast this season, the Demons will be hoping to secure their 13th win for the year and continue their push for a finals appearance.
With the Eagles coming off a narrow four-point victory over Port Adelaide in round 21, Goodwin said his side were looking forward to the matchup.
“It’s a great opportunity for our players,” he said.
“They’re looking forward to getting on the plane together and heading over to another hostile environment.
“We want to display what the Melbourne spirit is about and really forge a really strong performance and a united front.”
Melbourne team: round 22
B: Neville Jetta, Oscar McDonald, Jordan Lewis
HB: Christian Salem, Sam Frost, James Harmes
C: Alex Neal-Bullen, Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw
HF: Charlie Spargo, Sam Weideman, Aaron vandenBerg
F: Michael Hibberd, Tom McDonald, Dom Tyson
Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Christian Petracca
I/C: Dean Kent, Jake Melksham, Mitch Hannan, Bayley Fritsch
Emg: Wagner, Pedersen, Kennedy Harris, Garlett
In: Hibberd, Kent, Melksham, Hannan, Weideman
Out: Hogan (foot), Hunt (ankle), Pedersen (omitted), Kennedy Harris (omitted), Garlett (omitted)
