YOUNGSTERS Angus Brayshaw and James Harmes are set to return for this Sunday’s clash against Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium.

Coach Paul Roos said post-match after Melbourne’s 54-point loss to Fremantle at Domain Stadium on Sunday that the duo had been rested for round 22 to freshen them up for the final round.

“We rested [Angus] Brayshaw and [James] Harmes … because they’re tired like a lot of the younger guys – specifically to get them back [for the final round],” he said.

“Dom Tyson, we think might’ve hurt his hamstring again, so I’m not sure [if he will return].

“Dawesy (Chris Dawes) should be right for next week and [Heritier] Lumumba is out for next week, so we’ll get a couple back. Hopefully everyone is healthy from today.”

With a host of names missing from round 22, including Brayshaw, Dawes, Sam Frost, Harmes, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Dean Kent, Lumumba, Cam Pedersen, Christian Petracca, Jack Trengove, Tyson and Aaron vandenBerg, Roos said it had been difficult to settle the team in the latter part of the season.

“[Christian] Salem coming back – we see what a talent he is – and I thought [Jesse] Hogan, the way he fought back after half-time just showed what a competitor [he is].”

“We threw him on ball and he got some clearances and he ended up with nine and two goals.

“There were some really good signs for our footy club – it’s just going to take time and people do get impatient – I do understand that.”

Roos said the loss of skipper Nathan Jones (ankle) – in his 200^th match – and big man Jake Spencer (concussion) against Freo hurt them.

“He (Jones) just rolled his ankle and possibly could’ve come back on, but it was one of things where you jab it, you do more damage to it. By not doing it, it gives himself a chance to play next week,” he said.

“He’s keen [to play the final round]. He’s disappointed because he’s played his 200^th game and would’ve loved to have finished the game as captain and play in a milestone.

“I’m sure he’ll be champing at the bit next week to play, if he’s fit and healthy.”

On Spencer, Roos said: “He got knocked in the back of the head in a pack, so he had to go off as well. It was a warm day [as well], so it was just a tough effort for our guys to keep persevering like they did.”

Despite the injuries, Roos said he was pleased with his side’s character to fight back after giving up 10 goals to zip. Melbourne kicked 8.4 to 7.4 after Jeff Garlett finally registered the red and blue’s first goal at the 15-minute mark of the second term.

“I thought it was a super effort to come back and it could’ve been a disaster,” he said.

“To the boys’ credit, it was terrific effort.”

But Roos said his team’s ball movement was still an issue.

“We haven’t been able to take our chances and a young group still reacts to the scoreboard. If they see the score ticking over, then they get confidence,” he said.

“If the score’s ticking over, instead of being five [goals to] zip, it’s three [goals to] two.

“When you don’t get reward for effort, it makes it really hard.”

Roos was pleased with ruckman Max Gawn’s effort against one of the modern ruck greats Aaron Sandilands.

“He’s like all of our younger guys. People forget that he’s played 30-odd games, so he’s still a young player,” he said.

“I thought his second half he fought back really, really well. Sandilands is just a terrific player, but he’s (Gawn) really learning his craft well.

“I was really happy with his response after half-time. He caused some trouble and got to good spots, but he’s just learning.

“He’s learning the caper, but we think he’s going to get better and we’re pleased that we’ve re-signed him. We think he’ll get better with another pre-season and hopefully develops into a really good player for us.”