Petterd among three inclusions
Melbourne has included forward Ricky Petterd, utility Jamie Bennell and big man Jack Fitzpatrick for Friday night’s clash against Hawthorn at the MCG
But the Demons have tall James Sellar out with a calf injury, and have dropped forward Lynden Dunn and tough nut Luke Tapscott.
Dunn, Joel Macdonald and Tapscott are the emergencies.
Football Manager Josh Mahoney was hopeful Sellar would be in the mix for round eight.
“James pulled up sore in the calf during the week and scans revealed a minor calf strain,” he said.
“We are hopeful he will be available for selection next week.”
Mahoney said Petterd and Bennell work add some spark to the team.
“Both Jamie and Ricky, since returning the VFL, have showed consistent form and they’ll both bring some pace and excitement to our team,” he said.
For both Petterd and Bennell, it will be their second match of the season.
Petterd has had a frustrating start to 2012. He missed the opening round with a leg injury and has been an emergency for the past three matches.
Bennell has been in fine form for Casey at VFL level.
The duo’s only other match this season came in Melbourne’s 108-point loss against the West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium in round two.
Fitzpatrick will play just his second AFL match, after he made his debut against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in round 24 last year.
Mahoney said Fitzpatrick had been solid in recent weeks.
“Jack has been in really good form in the VFL,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“His performances over the past two or three weeks have earned him a position in the team.”
Dunn has played the past five matches this season, while Tapscott has featured in four games.
The Demons will be playing their only Friday night clash for the season, attempting to end an eight-match losing streak against the Hawks.
Round seven teams
B: James Frawley, Jared Rivers, Clint Bartram
HB: Jack Grimes, Colin Garland, Cale Morton
C: Ricky Petterd, Brent Moloney, Jack Trengove
HF: Nathan Jones, Mitch Clark, Jamie Bennell
F: Jeremy Howe, Colin Sylvia, Aaron Davey
FOLL: Mark Jamar, James Magner, Jordie McKenzie
I/C: Matthew Bate, Rohan Bail, Tom McDonald, Jack Fitzpatrick
EMG: Lynden Dunn, Joel Macdonald, Luke Tapscott
IN: Ricky Petterd, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jamie Bennell
OUT: James Sellar (calf), Lynden Dunn, Luke Tapscott
Hawthorn
B: Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Benjamin Stratton
HB: Grant Birchall, Ryan Schoenmakers, Matt Suckling
C: Brendan Whitecross, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis
HF: Isaac Smith, Lance Franklin, Luke Breust
F: Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Michael Osborne
Foll: David Hale, Shaun Burgoyne, Brad Sewell
I/C: Clinton Young, Liam Shiels, Shane Savage, Paul Puopolo
EMG: Kyle Cheney, Bradley Hill, Broc McCauley
In: Stephen Gilham, Clinton Young
Out: Luke Hodge (Knee), Jarrad Boumann (Appendix)