MELBOURNEfc has selected promising youngsters Ricky Petterd and Colin Garland to make their AFL debuts against Sydney on Saturday night.

Originally from Broadbeach, Petterd was Melbourne’s second selection (Pick 30) in the NAB National Draft, and has proved impressive at VFL level with his ability to win the ball and break the lines.

Standing at 191 cm, Garland was Melbourne’s third selection (Pick 46) in the 2006 NAB National Draft, and has also stood out in the VFL with his versatile style of play and the ability to play both ends of the ground.

Jared Rivers, Travis Johnstone and Brent Moloney will all return to the team after benefiting from spending another week recuperating from their injuries.

But, in more bad news for Melbourne’s growing list of casualties, Brad Green will miss with hamstring soreness, Paul Wheatley with an injured shoulder, Nathan Jones with an injured ankle and Matthew Whelan with a hamstring strain.

Daniel Ward, Clint Bizzell and Simon Buckley have been named as the side’s emergencies.

MELBOURNEfc Team
Backs: C.Bruce, N.Carroll, P.Johnson
Half backs: N.Brown,J.Rivers, D.Bell
Centreline: B.Moloney, J.McDonald, A.Yze
Half forwards: C.Johnson, B.Miller, B.Pickett
Forwards:L.Dunn, M.Jamar, A.Davey
Followers:J.White, M.Bate, T.Johnstone
I/C:R.Petterd, S.Godfrey, C.Sylvia, C.Garland
Emergencies: C.Bizzell, D.Ward, S.Buckley

In: J.Rivers, B.Moloney, T.Johnstone, C.Johnson, R.Petterd, C.Garland
Out: P.Wheatley, M.Whelan, N.Jones, B.Green, Ward, Bizzell

Sydney Team
Backs: Richards, Barry, Malceski
Half backs: Kennelly, C.Bolton, Mathews
Centreline: Buchanan, Kirk, McVeigh
Half forwards: R.O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, J.Bolton
Forwards:Schneider, Hall, Ablett
Followers:Jolly, Goodes, Fosdike
I/C: Crouch, Davis, Everitt, Schmidt
Emergencies: Grundy, Laidlaw, Moore