MELBOURNEhas made four changes – but just one forced – for Saturday’s clash againstHawthorn at the MCG.
TheDemons have lost exciting small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris with a groin injury.
Butthe Dees have omitted forward Jack Watts, versatile tall Cameron Pedersen andmidfielder Ben Newton.
Comingback into the side are former co-captain Jack Grimes and midfielder Viv Michie,while utility Rohan Bail and ball-winner Matt Jones have been named for theirfirst match of the season.
Grimeshas played one match for the season – against Fremantle in round five – andMichie has featured in two games: Melbourne’s win over Richmond in round fourand also the Freo clash.
RuckmanMax Gawn, plus Newton and Pedersen, have been named emergencies.
Managerof football operations Josh Mahoney said Kennedy-Harris battled with thecomplaint during last round’s loss to the Sydney Swans at the MCG.
“Jayhas pulled up with a little bit of a sore groin,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“Hewasn’t able to reach top speed last weekend, so we’ve taken the opportunity togive him a couple of weeks off – to make sure we get on top of that early.”
Mahoneysaid Watts had been left out after some indifferent form.
“Jackhas been disappointed in the way he’s been playing recently,” he said.
“He’sgot a clear plan on what he has to work on, and what he has to be doing well toget back into the team.
“He’llwork on that in the VFL.”
Mahoneysaid Grimes, Michie, Bail and M.Jones had earned their opportunity after strongrecent performances for Casey.
“We’restill trying to find the best mix with the team that we’ve got available at themoment,” he said.
“We’rerewarding people that are playing well at VFL level and making sure that peoplewho are being picked in the AFL are performing.”
Melbournewill be aiming to win its third match of the season and in the process end an11-game losing streak against Hawthorn.
Themost recent win by the Demons over the Hawks was when club great – and nowHawthorn coaching panel member – David Neitz booted six goals, back in roundeight, 2006.
LyndenDunn is the only remaining player from that winning side to be named thisround.
Butruckman Mark Jamar, who has played five matches this season, also featured inthat match.
Melbourne team: round seven
B:Christian Salem, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
HB:Jack Grimes, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe
C:Daniel Cross, Nathan Jones, Heritier Lumumba
HF:Angus Brayshaw, Jesse Hogan, Rohan Bail
F:Jeff Garlett, Chris Dawes, Aaron vandenBerg
FOLL:Jake Spencer, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince
I/C:Jimmy Toumpas, Billy Stretch, Viv Michie, Matt Jones
EMG:Max Gawn, Ben Newton, Cameron Pedersen
IN:Rohan Bail, Jack Grimes, Matt Jones, Viv Michie
OUT:Jay Kennedy-Harris (groin), Ben Newton, Cameron Pedersen, Jack Watts
