MELBOURNE has namedutility Neville Jetta and big man Max Gawn in its final 22 for Sunday’s last homeand away clash of the season against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
The Demons namedJetta and Gawn on the interchange, along with tough nut Luke Tapscott and highflyer Jeremy Howe.
Yet to debut DemonRory Taggert, tall James Sellar and speedster Rohan Bail were named theemergencies.
Livewire DavidRodan, who announced his retirement on Friday, is out of the side afterinjuring his anterior cruciate ligament last round against Adelaide at AAMIStadium. Utility Cameron Pedersen has also been left out of the side.
General manager offootball operations manager, Josh Mahoney, said Rodan gave his all right to theend.
“David injured his knee late in the first quarter lastweekend, after starting the game very well. His clearance work was exactly thereason he came to the club,” Mahoney told melbournefc.com.au.
Gawn, who has beenan emergency the past three matches, has played 12 matches this season, withhis most recent appearance coming against Greater Western Sydney in round 19.
Jetta has playedfour matches in 2013, with his most recent game coming against Fremantle inround four.
Taggert, who wasdrafted at No. 36 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft, was in line to become the eighthMelbourne player to make their AFL debut this year, joining Matt Jones, JimmyToumpas, Jack Viney, Dean Terlich, Dean Kent, Mitch Clisby and Troy Davis.Shannon Byrnes, Tom Gillies, Cameron Pedersen, Rodan and Chris Dawes alsoplayed their first games for Melbourne this year, but made their AFL debuts at oppositionclubs.
Instead, Taggertwill play for Casey against Geelong in the first qualifying final at SimondsStadium on Friday night.
Mahoney said Taggerthad shown strong form in the latter part of 2013.
“Rory’s second half of the year has been a big improvement,” Mahoneysaid.
“He’s consistently playing good football at VFL level.”
Bail has featured ineight matches this year, with his most recent game coming against Hawthorn inround 10. Sellar has made six appearances this season and Jetta four in 2013,with both not playing since round nine against Fremantle.
The match will be2009 best and fairest winner Aaron Davey’s last with the club, after an outstanding career. It willbe his 178th game.
Round23 Melbourne team
B: Lynden Dunn,James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Jack Grimes, TomMcDonald, Colin Garland
C: Jack Viney, JackTrengove, Jimmy Toumpas
HF: Matt Jones, JackWatts, Colin Sylvia
F: Dean Kent, ChrisDawes, Aaron Davey
FOLL: Jake Spencer,Jordie McKenzie, Nathan Jones
I/C: Luke Tapscott,Max Gawn, Jeremy Howe, Neville Jetta
EMG: James Sellar,Rory Taggert, Rohan Bail
IN: Neville Jetta,Max Gawn
OUT: David Rodan(knee), Cameron Pedersen
