MELBOURNE has named speedster Sam Blease in its final 22 for Sunday’s clash against Fremantle at the MCG.
The Demons confirmed on Friday evening that Blease, who will play his 10th match for the season, forward Dean Kent, tough-nut Luke Tapscott and 2009 club champion Aaron Davey on their interchange.
Veteran David Rodan, tall utility Cameron Pedersen and ruckman Max Gawn have been named the emergencies.
On Thursday night, the Demons rushed back high-flyer Jeremy Howe into the side.
But, as known earlier in the week, rookie Mitch Clisby was forced out for the rest of the season, after he was suspended for three matches by the match review panel. He was charged with rough conduct charge on Gold Coast’s Alex Sexton at Metricon Stadium last round.
Defender Daniel Nicholson, who came in for Howe against the Suns, was also left out of the round 21 side.
General manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Howe was an important return for the Demons.
Howe’s absence last Saturday night was the first time he’s missed an AFL match since he made his debut against Essendon in round 11, 2011.
“Jeremy was a late withdrawal from the game on the Gold Coast, due to a calf injury,” Mahoney told melbournefc.com.au.
“It was only a minor injury and he trained well during the week, so we look forward to having him back in the side.”
Mahoney also said Blease had put “pressure on the team” to earn his call-up.
The home clash will be Melbourne’s last MCG appearance for the 2013 season.
Round 21 Melbourne team
B: Lynden Dunn, Colin Garland, Dean Terlich
HB: Matt Jones, Tom McDonald, James Strauss
C: Jordie McKenzie, Jack Trengove, Jeremy Howe
HF: Jack Viney, Jack Watts, Shannon Byrnes
F: Colin Sylvia, Jack Fitzpatrick, Troy Davis
FOLL: Jake Spencer, Jack Grimes, Nathan Jones
I/C: Sam Blease, Dean Kent, Luke Tapscott, Aaron Davey
EMG: David Rodan, Cameron Pedersen, Max Gawn
IN: Sam Blease, Jeremy Howe
OUT: Mitch Clisby (suspension), Daniel Nicholson
