MELBOURNEhas made just one change for Sunday’s clash against the Gold Coast Suns at theMCG, recalling versatile small Neville Jetta for injured forward Dean Kent, whowill miss with a calf injury.
Kent,who has played the past two matches, was ruled out earlier on Friday, withsmall forward Shannon Byrnes added to the 25-man squad.
TheDemons later confirmed in the afternoon that Jetta, small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris,second-year Demon Matt Jones and midfielder Michael Evans were named on thebench.
Keyforward Jack Fitzpatrick, midfielder Jimmy Toumpas and Byrnes have been namedemergencies.
Jettawas upgraded to the senior list on Thursday, after former co-captain JackTrengove was placed on the long-term injury list, following his season-endingnavicular bone injury was revealed earlier in the week.
Jetta,who was originally drafted at No.51 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, has played 41matches for the Demons after making his AFL debut in round one, 2009 againstNorth Melbourne.
The24-year-old was delisted at the end of the 2013 season, but was given anotheropportunity via last November’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft, when he was selected atNo.50.
Injurieshave hindered Jetta’s career, but he has started the 2014 season in strong formfor Casey, earning his promotion.
Managerof football operations Josh Mahoney said Jetta’s return to the squad was wellearned.
“Thisis a great reward for Neville and a disappointing result with Jack Trengove,who we’ve been able to place on the long-term injury list. This has allowedNeville to be upgraded,” he said.
“Nevillehas been our most in form player at VFL level for the past three to four weeks,so he thoroughly deserves his opportunity to be in the squad of 25 for thisweek.”
Fitzpatrickand Byrnes played in the opening three matches of the season, before returningto the VFL last round, where they both kicked three goals in Casey’s 16-pointloss to Geelong at Casey Fields.
Toumpasplayed in the first two rounds, but has spent the past two weeks in the VFL. Lastweekend, Toumpas had 29 disposals for the Scorpions.
Melbourneis aiming for consecutive wins for the first time since rounds 13 and 14, 2011,when it defeated Fremantle (round 13) and Richmond (round 14).
TheDemons will play the Suns at 3.20pm.
Melbourne team: round five
B:Alex Georgiou, Tom McDonald, Lynden Dunn
HB:Dean Terlich, James Frawley, Jack Grimes
C:Jack Viney, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince
HF:Jack Watts, Cam Pedersen, Jordie McKenzie
F:Jeremy Howe, Chris Dawes, Rohan Bail
FOLL:Jake Spencer, Nathan Jones, Daniel Cross
I/C:Jay Kennedy-Harris, Matt Jones, Neville Jetta, Michael Evans
EMG:Shannon Byrnes, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jimmy Toumpas
IN:Neville Jetta
OUT:Dean Kent (calf)
