MELBOURNEfc defender Clint Bizzell will make his long awaited return to football when he lines-up against the Dockers on Sunday afternoon.
Bizzell’s return will mark his first game of AFL football since 2005 after a crippling leg injury ruled him out of the 2006 season.
He will be joined in the team by Lynden Dunn and Byron Pickett, who will both make their first appearance of the season.
Dunn has recovered well from a fractured cheekbone and after one week in the VFL comes straight into the team. He will look to play a pivotal role in the forward line come Sunday.
Enforcer Byron Pickett has worked hard gaining match fitness in the VFL and is ready to be unleashed onto the ‘G’ this weekend.
Jared Rivers is a late exclusion from the squad after still suffering from hamstring soreness. Rivers was unable to convince selectors at training that he is fully fit to play. Rivers has been replaced in the squad by Colin Sylvia who is an emergency for the match.
Cameron Bruce will run out for his 150th AFL game and is looking to continue the good form that has seen him average 30 possessions in his last two outings.
Ben Holland, Matthew Bate and Ryan Ferguson have both been omitted.
Melbourne Team
Backs: C.Bizzell, N.Carroll, M.Whelan
Half backs: D.Ward, P.Wheatley, D.Bell
Centreline: B.Moloney, J.McDonald, B.Green
Half forwards: C.Bruce, B.Miller, B.Pickett
Forwards: S.Godfrey, M.Jamar, A.Davey
Followers: J.White, N.Jones, T.Johnstone
I/C: N.Brown, P.Johnson, L.Dunn, A.Yze
Emergencies: R.Petterd, C.Sylvia, M.Bate
