MELBOURNE has rushed back tall forward Chris Dawes for his first match of the season, when the Demons take on Carlton at the MCG this Saturday afternoon.
The Dees have also named run-with midfielder Jordie McKenzie for his first match this year.
Small forward Shannon Byrnes and key tall Jack Fitzpatrick have been omitted, after they played in Melbourne’s first three matches of the season.
Manager of football Josh Mahoney said the duo were important additions into the team.
“It’s good to have two inclusions into the team this week – Jordie McKenzie has played well at VFL level and has shown he can come into the team play roles and Chris, although he hasn’t played a game this year, he’s put in a big workload at training and has done enough to satisfy that he’s ready to play,” he said.
“Chris will give us a bit more structure down forward, which we’ve been looking for in the two to three rounds.
“His big body and ability to create a contest will be a good target for us kicking the ball forward.”
Dawes comes straight back into the side, after missing the past six weeks with a calf injury.
His most recent hit out was Melbourne’s intra-club in February. It will be Dawes’ 13th match for the club, after he made his debut for the Demons last year.
Before that, Dawes played 71 matches (including the 2010 premiership) and kicked 83 goals for Collingwood.
McKenzie, who will play his 70th match for Melbourne, notched up 31 touches for Casey against Essendon at Windy Hill last Sunday.
It was a fine return from the diligent Demon, after he missed the opening two rounds with a foot injury.
Former co-captain Jack Trengove, Byrnes and runner Daniel Nicholson are the emergencies.
Trengove, who was left out of the side for the first time in his career last round, is an emergency.
Nicholson has yet to play a match for the Demons this year, although he was also an emergency in round one.
Neither the Demons and Blues have won a match this season, but Carlton has had the edge over Melbourne in recent years.
The last time the Demons defeated the Blues was in round 22, 2007, when Mark Riley was coach.
Although the match isn’t quite the traditional 2pm or 2.10pm clash, it is a 1.45pm start – one of two matches closest to the traditional Saturday afternoon timeslot for the Demons this year.
The match is also a replacement home game for all Melbourne members, with all members able to scan in and attend as normal. The club will still have The Demon Shop open, with Melbourne merchandise available from gate two. Club memberships will also be sold inside gate two and outside gate three.
Melbourne team: round four
B: Alex Georgiou, James Frawley, Lynden Dunn
HB: Jack Grimes, Tom McDonald, Dean Terlich
C: Jack Watts, Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross
HF: Jordie McKenzie, Cameron Pedersen, Jack Viney
F: Jeremy Howe, Chris Dawes, Rohan Bail
FOLL: Jake Spencer, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson
I/C: Dean Kent, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Michael Evans, Matt Jones
EMG: Jack Trengove, Shannon Byrnes, Daniel Nicholson
IN: Chris Dawes, Jordie McKenzie
OUT: Shannon Byrnes, Jack Fitzpatrick
