MELBOURNE has rushed back key defender-turned-forward James Frawley and small backman Neville Jetta for Saturday’s clash against top of the ladder Port Adelaide at TIO Traeger Park Oval.
But the Demons have lost big man Chris Dawes and left out second-year Demon Jimmy Toumpas, who is now an emergency, along with midfielder Jordie McKenzie and defender Daniel Nicholson.
Coach Paul Roos said there were some mixed fortunes in this week’s team – regaining Frawley, who missed his first match of the season in round nine with a toe and hamstring injury, but losing Dawes through suspension.
“Losing ‘Chip’ [Frawley] last game wasn’t ideal and then you get Dawsey out for Frawley, so in relation to the Richmond game, we’re probably similar,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“We’d love to have Dawsey playing – he’s been in really good form – but I’d like to see the forward line with Dawes, Frawley, [Cam] Pedersen and [Max] Gawn now. We thought Gawn and [Mark] Jamar were really good for us too.
“Having Chip back, he’s been a terrific player for us this year, so having him back is really important for us.”
Dawes has played the past six matches after a calf injury sidelined him from the second NAB Challenge clash against Geelong, also in Alice Springs, until round three. But since his return in round four against Carlton – Melbourne’s first win of the season – Dawes has made a significant impact up forward.
Toumpas has played three matches this season and was a late call-up in Melbourne’s 17-point win against Richmond in round nine.
He replaced Jetta, who is back in the side, after he missed the clash against the Tigers with gastro.
Jetta has featured in four matches this season, after being upgraded from the rookie list. His form has been impressive since his return to the AFL, particularly against Adelaide in round seven, when he curbed the influence of goalsneak Eddie Betts.
It will be a historic day for football in the Northern Territory this weekend, when Melbourne hosts Port Adelaide in the first AFL home and away clash in Alice Springs.
The match also coincides with Indigenous Round, where each AFL club will wear a specially designed jumper.
Melbourne team: round 11
B: Colin Garland, Tom McDonald, Dean Terlich
HB: Neville Jetta, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes
C: Daniel Cross, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince
HF: Rohan Bail, James Frawley, Jack Watts
F: Cam Pedersen, Max Gawn, Jeremy Howe
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney
I/C: Christian Salem, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Aidan Riley, Matt Jones
EMG: Jimmy Toumpas, Jordie McKenzie, Daniel Nicholson
IN: James Frawley, Neville Jetta
OUT: Chris Dawes (suspension), Jimmy Toumpas (omitted)
