THE WAIT is nearly over.
After a gruelling 580-day wait, Melbourne fans will be welcomed back to the MCG on Saturday, with some new and old faces set to line up for the Demons in Round 1.
The club has made eight changes to the side that last featured in 2020, with debutant James Jordon headlining the inclusions to take on Fremantle.
In positive news for the home team, key defender Steven May has been given the all clear to play, despite suffering a concussion 12 days ago during the AAMI Community Series.
Clayton Oliver – who will play his 100th game this weekend – and Christian Salem are also ready to go after being rested from their side’s last practice match against the Bulldogs.
The history of the sub vest: Miscellaneous Melbourne facts
As for the club’s inaugural medical sub, a rule introduced on the eve of the season, that won’t be announced until one hour before the first bounce, but emergencies Oskar Baker, Jake Bowey, Kade Chandler and Harry Petty are all in contention.
Of course, the Dees will be without key forward pair Ben Brown (knee) and Sam Weideman (femur), but a number of other players will have the chance to perform in a VFL practice match on Saturday.
Jack Viney (foot), Michael Hibberd (ankle) and Jake Melksham (hamstring) are all taking to the field for Casey on their return from injury, while Aaron vandenBerg, Toby Bedford, Bailey Laurie, Fraser Rosman, Majak Daw, Deakyn Smith and Austin Bradtke will also get the opportunity to put their hand up for selection come Round 2.
Take a look at Melbourne’s 22 selected to take the field at 1:45pm on Saturday afternoon:
