MELBOURNE has reacted to its last round’s 90-point loss to Fremantle, adding seven players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against Hawthorn at the MCG.

Forward Shannon Byrnes, who missed round eight with a wrist injury, will again miss with the same problem, but James Magner, Neville Jetta and Max Gawn have been omitted.

Talls Jack Fitzpatrick, Jake Spencer and Cam Pedersen, defenders Joel Macdonald and James Strauss and smalls David Rodan and Dean Kent have been brought into the squad.

Pedersen and Rodan have been included in the starting 18, with Fitzpatrick, Spencer, Macdonald, Strauss and Kent added to the extended interchange.

Pedersen, who has been named at centre half-back, shone in the same position for Casey last round, gathering 23 touches and 10 marks against Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

Rodan has played three matches this season in his first season with the Demons. Last week in the VFL, he had 26 disposals and 11 hard ball gets.

Fitzpatrick has also been in fine form for Casey, kicking five goals last round and supporting Spencer in the ruck with 19 hit-outs.

Neeld has been impressed with Fitzpatrick’s performances over the past four weeks.

“He’s in really good form in the VFL, he’s been doing it for about a month,” Neeld said

“He’s going to play up forward and he’ll pinch hit in the ruck. ”

Spencer, who has played two matches this season and has been an emergency every other round, had 34 hit outs for Casey last round.

Youngsters Strauss has made three appearances this year and Kent has played two in his first year at the club.

Mark Neeld said the players added to the squad had earned their opportunities.

“We’ve got four or five guys that have been consistently good in the VFL and they deserve an opportunity to come in,” Neeld said.

Round 10 Melbourne team
B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Jack Watts, Cam Pedersen, Colin Garland
C: Jack Trengove, Michael Evans, Matt Jones
HF: Luke Tapscott, Jeremy Howe, Rohan Bail
F: David Rodan, Chris Dawes, Aaron Davey
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Jordie McKenzie, Nathan Jones
I/C (from): James Strauss, Daniel Nicholson, Joel Macdonald, James Sellar, Dean Kent, Jake Spencer, Jack Fitzpatrick
IN: David Rodan, Joel Macdonald, James Strauss, Jake Spencer, Jack Fitzpatrick, Cam Pedersen, Dean Kent
OUT: Shannon Byrnes (wrist), James Magner, Neville Jetta, Max Gawn