SKIPPER Brad Green says Melbourne will field an almost full-strength side for its final NAB Challenge clash before the start of the premiership season.
Melbourne will take on Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Friday night (7pm).
The Demons went down to the Brisbane Lions by 29 points at Visy Park on Saturday, but a host of Demons, including Green didn’t play.
Green ruled out James Frawley (pectoral muscle) and Cale Morton (hand) for the clash against Hawthorn, saying “they’d be right for about round two or three”.
“It’ll be the first time we’ve had our full strength side out there for the whole pre-season,” he said from Melbourne’s family day at Luna Park on Sunday.
“We’ve had guys coming back over the last couple of weeks and to get another dress rehearsal before round one is certainly something we’re after going into round one, before we play Sydney.”
Clint Bartram, Robert Campbell, Aaron Davey, Colin Garland, Jack Grimes, Liam Jurrah, Jordie McKenzie, Jack Trengove and Austin Wonaeamirri were also absent against the Lions.
Most of this group was rested, although Campbell is still sidelined with an achilles injury.
Although Melbourne was disappointed by the result against the Lions, Green was pleased with some of the young Demons.
“We had a few guys out, but the positives to come out of it were that [Luke] Tapscott played his first game for the club and [Neville] Jetta played pretty well,” he said.
“Tommy McDonald played down back and [Ricky] Petterd and Nathan Jones played their first and second game [respectively].
“Next week’s game is certainly going to be a hit-out for round one and we’ll look to play our strongest side for that game.”
Despite an inconsistent pre-season by the Demons, Green is excited by the prospect of further improvement in 2011.
“Certainly after the last few years, it’s something that we don’t want to go back to,” he said.
“For two years in a row, we were bottom of the ladder and last year was an improvement and we want to keep that trend going.
“Gone are the days when we just rely on talent - we’ve got to get out there and actually perform and get better with that. And hopefully over the next short term, we can show that improvement and get better.”
Meanwhile, Green said the family day was a great opportunity for the players to mix with the red and blue faithful.
“It’s great for our fans today - it’s all about them really and it’s great for them to come out and see the guys participate at something at Luna Park,” he said.
“The guys are getting out on the rides and signing the autographs for all of the fans, which is terrific.”
Melbourne will take on Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Friday night (7pm).
The Demons went down to the Brisbane Lions by 29 points at Visy Park on Saturday, but a host of Demons, including Green didn’t play.
Green ruled out James Frawley (pectoral muscle) and Cale Morton (hand) for the clash against Hawthorn, saying “they’d be right for about round two or three”.
“It’ll be the first time we’ve had our full strength side out there for the whole pre-season,” he said from Melbourne’s family day at Luna Park on Sunday.
“We’ve had guys coming back over the last couple of weeks and to get another dress rehearsal before round one is certainly something we’re after going into round one, before we play Sydney.”
Clint Bartram, Robert Campbell, Aaron Davey, Colin Garland, Jack Grimes, Liam Jurrah, Jordie McKenzie, Jack Trengove and Austin Wonaeamirri were also absent against the Lions.
Most of this group was rested, although Campbell is still sidelined with an achilles injury.
Although Melbourne was disappointed by the result against the Lions, Green was pleased with some of the young Demons.
“We had a few guys out, but the positives to come out of it were that [Luke] Tapscott played his first game for the club and [Neville] Jetta played pretty well,” he said.
“Tommy McDonald played down back and [Ricky] Petterd and Nathan Jones played their first and second game [respectively].
“Next week’s game is certainly going to be a hit-out for round one and we’ll look to play our strongest side for that game.”
Despite an inconsistent pre-season by the Demons, Green is excited by the prospect of further improvement in 2011.
“Certainly after the last few years, it’s something that we don’t want to go back to,” he said.
“For two years in a row, we were bottom of the ladder and last year was an improvement and we want to keep that trend going.
“Gone are the days when we just rely on talent - we’ve got to get out there and actually perform and get better with that. And hopefully over the next short term, we can show that improvement and get better.”
Meanwhile, Green said the family day was a great opportunity for the players to mix with the red and blue faithful.
“It’s great for our fans today - it’s all about them really and it’s great for them to come out and see the guys participate at something at Luna Park,” he said.
“The guys are getting out on the rides and signing the autographs for all of the fans, which is terrific.”
