MELBOURNE has recalled experienced forward/midfielder Colin Sylvia for Saturday night’s clash against Essendon at the MCG.

Sylvia is one of two inclusions for the Demons, with defender Joel Macdonald also coming back.

Versatile tall James Sellar and the pacy Jamie Bennell have been omitted. The pair is now emergencies, along with midfielder/forward Matthew Bate.

Former skipper Brad Green (lung) and 2010 All-Australian James Frawley (foot) have been named in the side, although the duo was under injury cloud earlier in the week.

Football manager Josh Mahoney said Sylvia had worked hard on the track to earn a recall, after he was not able to play for Casey last round, given the VFL’s state game.

It was the second week in a row that Melbourne-listed players, who did not play in the AFL, were unable to play for Casey. This was because the Scorpions had a bye in the same week, when the Demons played Sydney Swans.

“Unfortunately in the last two weeks, our players not selected in the AFL team have not had any games,” Mahoney told melbournefc.com.au.

“Last week, Colin among the other players completed match simulation sessions, where his intensity and attitude was good, so he has been picked in our best 22 against Essendon.”

For Sylvia, he has endured a frustrating season.

He missed the first four rounds due to a back injury and a club suspension.

Sylvia suffered two minor spinal fractures after crashing heavily during Melbourne’s final NAB Cup clash against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in March.

The back injury sidelined him for Melbourne’s opening three matches, before his club suspension was imposed for round four.

His suspension was initially set for round one, as it was carried over from an off-field incident from last year, when he was originally with the Australian International Rules team.

But because of his forced lay off from injury, he served the suspension when the Demons played the Western Bulldogs.

Sylvia came back against St Kilda in round five as a substitute player and then featured in Melbourne’s next three matches. But he was left out last round, along with another senior Demon, Aaron Davey.

Macdonald has played four matches this season and returns for his first match since round five against St Kilda. He has been on the cusp of selection, being named an emergency on several occasions.

Sellar has played six matches this season and Bennell has featured in four games. 

Round 10 teams
Melbourne
B: James Frawley, Jared Rivers, Tom McDonald
HB: Jack Trengove, Jack Watts, Colin Garland
C: Jack Grimes, James Magner, Nathan Jones
HF: Rohan Bail, Mitch Clark, Joel Macdonald
F: Jeremy Howe, Brad Green, Luke Tapscott
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, Jordie McKenzie
I/C: Colin Sylvia, Lynden Dunn, Sam Blease, Daniel Nicholson
EMG: Matthew Bate, Jamie Bennell, James Sellar
IN: Macdonald, Sylvia
OUT: Sellar, Bennell

Essendon
B: Cale Hooker, Dustin Fletcher, Courtenay Dempsey
HB: Ricky Dyson, Kyle Hardingham, Jake Carlisle
C: David Zaharakis, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton
HF: Angus Monfries, Stewart Crameri, Patrick Ryder
F: Leroy Jetta, Michael Hurley, Alwyn Davey
FOLL: Tom Bellchambers, Ben Howlett, Heath Hocking
I/C: Sam Lonergan, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Jake Melksham, Travis Colyer
EMG: David Hille, Henry Slattery, Tayte Pears
In: Dustin Fletcher, Leroy Jetta, Kyle Hardingham
Out: Mark McVeigh (Hip), Henry Slattery, Tayte Pears