MELBOURNE has named Luke Tapscott in its starting 18 for Sunday’s clash against Sydney Swans at the MCG.

 

Tapscott will make his debut for the Demons after being drafted at No.18 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.

 

The Demons have named a 25-man squad, which will be trimmed back to 22 on Friday night.

 

A substitute will be named 90 minutes before the start of play.

 

Under the new rule, three players will be named on the interchange, plus one substitute, who can replace a teammate - injured or not - at any stage of the match.

 

As expected, regulars James Frawley (pectoral), Cale Morton (finger), Tom Scully (knee) and Jordie McKenzie (groin) could not be considered, due to injury. 

 

But among the 22 are exciting forwards Liam Jurrah and Jack Watts, plus Jack Grimes, who was one of Melbourne’s best pre-season performers.

 

Rohan Bail and Addam Maric have been rewarded for strong summers and have been named in the starting line-up.

 

Neville Jetta, Stef Martin, Ricky Petterd, Jake Spencer and James Strauss are also in the mix to play, after limited appearances last year. Jack Trengove and Matthew Warnock have also been named on the extended bench.

 

Forward Austin Wonaeamirri, who has been impressive with Casey in the VFL practice matches in the past two weeks, is still building his match conditioning after an interrupted pre-season.

 

B: Clint Bartram, Jared Rivers, Joel Macdonald
HB: Jack Grimes, Colin Garland, Jamie Bennell
C: Nathan Jones, Brent Moloney, Luke Tapscott
HF: Rohan Bail, Colin Sylvia, Liam Jurrah
F: Jack Watts, Brad Green, Addam Maric
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Lynden Dunn, Aaron Davey
I/C (from): Neville Jetta, Stef Martin, Ricky Petterd, Jake Spencer, James Strauss, Jack Trengove, Matthew Warnock
New: Luke Tapscott (North Adelaide, SA)