MELBOURNE has finalised its 22 for Sunday’s clash against Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
On Thursday the experienced David Rodan and speedster Sam Blease were confirmed in the starting 18 and on Friday midfielder Jordie McKenzie secured a place in the final team.
Melbourne’s interchange consists of McKenzie, Tapscott, Davey and Matt Jones.
Rebounder James Strauss, ruckman Jake Spencer and defender Daniel Nicholson have been named emergencies.
But, as expected, the Demons have lost key forward Mitch Clark (foot) through injury and the versatile Neville Jetta due to suspension, while young gun Jack Viney has been rested.
After coach Mark Neeld ruled Clark out on Thursday morning, football manager Josh Mahoney said later that afternoon that a timeframe hadn’t been put on the former Lion.
“As mentioned earlier in the week, Mitch has got some foot issues and he’ll be taking a period off his legs, before building back up,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“At this stage, it’ll be a week to week thing with Mitch.”
Mahoney said Viney has been given a breather after playing the first month of the premiership season.
“Jack Viney has had a big introduction into AFL football. He’s played all four games and, at different times throughout the year, he’s going to be rested and it was appropriate that he’d be rested for this week’s game against Brisbane,” he said.
Jetta will miss the next two matches after he accepted a rough conduct charge on first year Greater Western Sydney player Lachie Whitfield.
But Mahoney said Rodan and Blease had earned their recall.
“David Rodan and Sam Blease were among our better players at Casey last week, so they will add some speed to our line-up, which we think will be important to our game on the weekend,” he said.
McKenzie returned via the VFL last round, where he impressed with 31 disposals and six inside 50s, according to Mahoney.
“Jordie McKenzie missed two weeks with a calf injury, and he played a full game in the VFL last week,” he said.
Nicholson featured in the opening two rounds, but has spent the past two matches with Casey. Strauss has yet to play a game for the Demons this season, and Spencer has been an emergency each week.
Round five Melbourne team
B: Jack Watts, James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Jack Grimes, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
C: Jack Trengove, Colin Sylvia, Sam Blease
HF: Rohan Bail, Cameron Pedersen, Jeremy Howe
F: David Rodan, Max Gawn, Shannon Byrnes
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Michael Evans, Nathan Jones
I/C (from): Jordie McKenzie, James Strauss, Daniel Nicholson, Luke Tapscott, Aaron Davey, Jake Spencer, Matt Jones
IN: David Rodan, Jordie McKenzie, Sam Blease
EMG: James Strauss, Daniel Nicholson, Jake Spencer
OUT: Mitch Clark (foot), Neville Jetta (suspension), Jack Viney (rested)
