MELBOURNEfc has selected a strong line-up for Friday night’s season opener against St Kilda at the MCG.
Captain David Neitz will lead the team out for his eighth season as captain, in what will be an eagerly awaited contest against the team Melbourne knocked out of the finals last year.
Club veteran Adem Yze will play, despite media speculation to the contrary, and will keep his record of 223 consecutive matches for Melbourne intact. Brad Green, James McDonald and Cameron Bruce will all play after missing the Demons’ last NAB Challenge match against Geelong.
19 year-old Clint Bartram has made a great comeback from ankle surgery in the pre-season and has been named in the 22, along with midfielder Brent Moloney, who has also capped off a superb pre-season and will take the field for the first time since Round Eight, 2006.
Ruckman Jeff White will line-up for his 200th game for Melbourne (232 AFL overall)
Clint Bizzell, Nathan Brown and Paul Johnson have been named as the emergencies for Friday night.
Jared Rivers has missed out on selection after experiencing some hamstring soreness, but is expected to be ready for Round Two. Byron Pickett will not play, and will line up at Sandringham on Sunday to gain some match practice.
Melbourne TeamBacks: N.Carroll, B.Holland, M.Whelan
Half backs: D.Ward, B.Miller, D.Bell
Centreline: T.Johnstone, J.McDonald, M.Bate
Half forwards: C.Bruce, R.Robertson, A.Yze
Forwards: C.Johnson, D.Neitz, A.Davey
Followers: J.White, B.Green, B.McLean
I/C: M.Jamar, N.Jones, B.Moloney, C.Bartram
Emergencies: C.Bizzell, N.Brown, P.Johnson,
St Kilda Team
Backs: Steven Baker, Sam Fisher,Brendan Goodard
Halfbacks: Jason Gram, Matt Maguire, Leigh Fisher
Centreline: Andrew Thompson, Luke Ball, Leigh Montagna
Halfforwards: Robert Harvey, Justin Koschitzke, Jason Blake
Forwards: Xavier Clarke, Fraser Gehrig, Stephen Milne
Followers: Matthew Clarke, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo
Interchange: Jayden Attard, Aaron Fiora, Andrew McQualter, Michael Rix
EmergencyL Shane Birss, Barry Brooks, Brett Voss
