The Demons confirmed on Friday that Davey, Bate, Macdonald and tough-nut James Magner were on their interchange.
But the Dees have left out the versatile Cale Morton and speedster Sam Blease. Morton has played eight matches this season and Blease has featured in five games.
Morton and Blease are now emergencies, along with the yet-to-debut backman Troy Davis.
On Thursday night, the Demons named utility Rohan Bail in their starting 18.
Melbourne also lost former captain Brad Green with a hip injury and the long-kicking Luke Tapscott for a match due to suspension.
Bail returns after missing the past three rounds with concussion. He has played eight matches this year.
Bate’s most recent game came in round seven and Davey against the Swans in round eight. Both have chalked up seven matches in 2012.
Macdonald is also back after playing five games this year. He was left out of Melbourne’s Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood, after playing in the win against Essendon.
Davis has been a strong performer in the VFL after gaining a taste of senior football in this year’s NAB Cup.
Round 13 team
B: James Sellar, James Frawley, Jared Rivers
HB: Daniel Nicholson, Tom McDonald, Jack Watts
C: Rohan Bail, Jack Trengove, Jack Grimes
HF: Jeremy Howe, Lynden Dunn, Nathan Jones
F: Mitch Clark, Colin Garland, Colin Sylvia
Foll: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, Jordie McKenzie
I/C: Matthew Bate, Aaron Davey, James Magner, Joel Macdonald
EMG: Troy Davis, Sam Blease, Cale Morton
IN: Matthew Bate, Aaron Davey, Joel Macdonald, Rohan Bail
OUT: Brad Green (hip), Luke Tapscott (suspension), Sam Blease, Cale Morton
