MELBOURNE has included seven players to its 25-man squad for Sunday's clash against Adelaide Crows at the MCG.

The Dees have made four changes, but one is forced with vice-captain Jared Rivers out of the side, due to an ankle injury.

Returning for the Demons are Ricky Petterd, Matthew Bate, Matthew Warnock and Addam Maric, who have been named in the starting 18.

Joel Macdonald, Michael Newton, Ricky Petterd and Neville Jetta have also been included, but have been named on the extended bench at this stage.

Cale Morton, Stef Martin and Jamie Bennell have been omitted.

It will be Bate and Warnock's first match for the season.

Bate shone with six goals for Casey against Frankston in the VFL last round, while Warnock was miserly down back and also collected 22 disposals.

Petterd and Maric played the opening two rounds, but have since been on the cusp of selection.

Until this round, Martin and Bennell have played every match, while Morton has made three appearances this season, after missing the start of the season with a finger injury.

Jordan Gysberts, Lynden Dunn, Austin Wonaeamirri, who played against West Coast Eagles last round, have been named on the seven-man bench.

Teams
Melbourne
B:
James Frawley, Matthew Warnock, Clint Bartram
HB: Nathan Jones, Colin Garland, Luke Tapscott
C: Ricky Petterd, Jack Grimes, Colin Sylvia
HF: Jack Watts, Liam Jurrah, Addam Maric
F: Brad Green, Matthew Bate, Aaron Davey
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, Jack Trengove
I/C (from): Jordan Gysberts, Lynden Dunn, Joel Macdonald, Michael Newton, Austin Wonaeamirri, Neville Jetta, Rohan Bail
IN: Joel Macdonald, Michael Newton, Ricky Petterd, Matthew Bate, Matthew Warnock, Addam Maric, Neville Jetta
OUT: Jared Rivers (ankle), Cale Morton, Stef Martin, Jamie Bennell 

Adelaide
B:
Michael Doughty, Ben Rutten, Graham Johncock
HB: Nathan van Berlo, Luke Thompson, Matthew Jaensch
C: Ricky Henderson, Brent Reilly, Brodie Smith
HF: Richard Douglas, Shaun McKernan, Chris Knights
F: Matthew Wright, Kurt Tippett, Taylor Walker
FOLL: Sam Jacobs, Patrick Dangerfield, Scott Thompson
I/C (from): Jack Gunston, Rory Sloane, Brad Symes, Ivan Maric, Jared Petrenko, James Sellar, Chris Schmidt
In: Rory Sloane, James Sellar, Jared Petrenko, Chris Schmidt, Jack Gunston, Ivan Maric
Out: Richard Tambling (suspended), Phil Davis (shoulder), Brodie Martin