MELBOURNE has added four players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against Essendon at the MCG, but will be without exciting small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris for the first time this year.
Kennedy-Harris has been left out of the side that lost to Collingwood at the MCG on Queen’s Birthday by 33 points.
The Demons have added midfielders Aidan Riley and Jordie McKenzie, plus small forward Dean Kent and defender Daniel Nicholson to the extended squad.
McKenzie, Riley, first-year Demon Christian Salem, dasher Dean Terlich, ruckman Max Gawn, Kent and Nicholson make up the seven-man bench. Melbourne will finalise its 22 on Friday evening.
Kennedy-Harris has made a fine impression in his first season, playing every match up until this round.
Although he has been a starting substitute in five games, including his opening three AFL matches, Kennedy-Harris has provided plenty of spark and class. He looms as a long-term member of Melbourne’s team.
Riley has been an emergency for four of the past five matches, except in round nine, when he made his debut for the Demons and played in their 17-point win over Richmond at the MCG.
It’s been a good effort by Riley to be right in the mix of selection, given he was coming off a serious broken leg, sustained playing for the Crows almost a year ago.
McKenzie has played just two matches this year – in rounds four and five – after a foot injury interrupted his start to the season.
He too has been on the cusp of selection in recent weeks, having been named an emergency for the past three rounds. He was again one of Casey’s best last week.
Kent has featured in two games this year, against GWS in round three and Melbourne’s first win of the season against Carlton in round four.
He then missed the next two matches with a calf injury and was later suspended for one match in the VFL. Like McKenzie, Kent was one of the best performers for the Scorpions last Saturday.
Nicholson has yet to play a match for the Demons this season, but has been an emergency four times in rounds one, four, six and 10.
He has been a consistent performer in the VFL in recent weeks.
The Demons will play the Bombers for the first time since their 148-point loss in round two last year. Before that woeful display, the Dees had defeated the Dons the previous three matches.
Melbourne team: round 13
B: Jeremy Howe, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes
C: Bernie Vince, Jack Viney, Daniel Cross
HF: Matt Jones, Chris Dawes, Rohan Bail
F: Cam Pedersen, James Frawley, Jack Watts
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson
I/C (from): Jordie McKenzie, Aidan Riley, Christian Salem, Dean Terlich, Max Gawn, Dean Kent, Daniel Nicholson
IN: Jordie McKenzie, Aidan Riley, Dean Kent, Daniel Nicholson
OUT: Jay Kennedy-Harris
