CO-CAPTAIN Jack Grimes has been named in the starting 18 for Melbourne’s clash against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Sunday, after missing the past two matches with a hamstring injury.
The Demons have named an extended squad, with first-year Demon Christian Salem, midfielder Jordie McKenzie and forward/ruckman Jack Fitzpatrick also included in the 25-man squad.
Salem, McKenzie and Fitzpatrick have been named on the bench, along with Aidan Riley, Dom Barry, Rohan Bail and Matt Jones.
Small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris has been left out of the side.
The final 22 will be announced on Friday evening.
Grimes suffered his hamstring injury in the lead-up to Melbourne’s round 19 clash against the Brisbane Lions, which the Demons ended up losing by 23 points at Etihad Stadium.
Aside from his absence in the past two rounds, Grimes has played every game for the Dees this year, after a collarbone injury sidelined him from rounds seven to 14 last year.
Salem has played 10 matches this season – all from rounds six to 16 – while McKenzie, who was an emergency last round, has played eight matches in 2014.
Fitzpatrick, who featured in Melbourne’s opening three matches of the season, has not played since the Demons went down to the Giants in round three. He was an emergency last round after some impressive form recently for Casey.
Kennedy-Harris has played 14 matches – including the first 11 – in his first AFL-listed season.
Melbourne will be aiming for its fifth win of the season.
The Demons have not lost to the Giants at the MCG, but they haven’t defeated GWS since round four, 2013.
Melbourne team: round 21
B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
HB: Jeremy Howe, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes
C: Bernie Vince, Jack Watts, Daniel Cross
HF: Viv Michie, James Frawley, Jack Viney
F: Dean Kent, Chris Dawes, Max Gawn
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson
I/C (from): Christian Salem, Jordie McKenzie, Aidan Riley, Dom Barry, Rohan Bail, Matt Jones, Jack Fitzpatrick
IN: Jack Grimes, Jordie McKenzie, Jack Fitzpatrick, Christian Salem
OUT: Jay Kennedy-Harris
