AFTER being flagged by vice-captain Nathan Jones during the week, Melbourne has included 12 key players in its 27-man squad for Saturday’s NAB Cup clash against St Kilda at Casey Fields.
The Demons have gained Jones, Jack Watts, Jimmy Toumpas, James Frawley, Shannon Byrnes, Jordie McKenzie, Lynden Dunn, David Rodan, Colin Garland, Jack Grimes, Jeremy Howe and Mark Jamar for their home clash at its outer south-eastern suburban base.
But Collingwood 2010 premiership player Chris Dawes (hamstring tightness) and father/son recruit Jack Viney (neck) will miss this week. The duo is expected to be available for Melbourne’s season opener against Port Adelaide at the MCG on March 31.
Dawes and Viney played in Melbourne’s opening NAB Cup clash against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on February 22. But Dawes was rested from the second match that night against Richmond, although Viney played.
The pair did not feature in Melbourne’s first win of the season against Port Adelaide in Renmark last weekend.
Youngsters Dom Barry, Troy Davis, Jack Fitzpatrick, Dean Kent, James Strauss, Rory Taggert, Josh Tynan, Tom Couch and Nathan Stark have been rested, after they were part of last Sunday’s two-point victory.
Aaron Davey, Michael Evans, Tom Gillies, Neville Jetta, Matt Jones, Joel Macdonald, Dan Nicholson, Cam Pedersen, James Sellar, Jake Spencer, Colin Sylvia, Luke Tapscott, Dean Terlich, James Magner and Jesse Hogan remain in the side from last weekend.
Jetta, Nicholson, Pedersen, Sylvia, Magner and Hogan have been named again, meaning they are set to become the only Demons this pre-season to play in all four NAB Cup matches.
The Demons will also be without Rohan Bail (concussion), Sam Blease (ankle), Mitch Clark (foot), Max Gawn (hamstring), Tom McDonald (ankle) and Jack Trengove (foot) due to injury.
The match will start at 2.30pm.
Round three NAB Cup team
1. Jesse Hogan
2. Nathan Jones
4. Jack Watts
5. Jimmy Toumpas
8. James Frawley
10. Shannon Byrnes
12. Colin Sylvia
13. Jordie McKenzie
14. Lynden Dunn
15. David Rodan
20. Colin Garland
21. Cam Pederson
22. James Magner
26. Daniel Nicholson
27. Tom Gillies
28. Joel MacDonald
30. James Sellar
31. Jack Grimes
32. Michael Evans
35. Luke Tapscott
36. Aaron Davey
38. Jeremy Howe
39. Neville Jetta
40. Mark Jamar
42. Jake Spencer
45. Matt Jones
46. Dean Terlich
Demons include 12 players
Melbourne has included several key players for Saturday’s clash against St Kilda at Casey Fields
