The Demons have also named veteran ruckman Mark Jamar for his first match of the season, after an interrupted pre-season with several niggling injuries.
Dual premiership player Shannon Byrnes has also been recalled.
Midfielders Jordie McKenzie and Michael Evans, and ruckman Jake Spencer have been omitted. Spencer, defender Mitch Clisby and runner Daniel Nicholson are the emergencies.
Manager of football Josh Mahoney said Salem had earned his position in the 22.
“He’s (Salem) played the whole season in the VFL in a number of roles; he’s played off half-back, a little bit up forward and in the last couple of games in the midfield, he told melbournefc.com.au.
“He’s done everything that the coaches have asked him to do in all those roles and now he’s ready to play his first game.”
Salem, who was Melbourne’s first pick in last year’s NAB AFL Draft (No.9 overall), starred for Casey against Frankston at Frankston Oval last weekend.
He had 32 disposals and continued his impressive early season form for the Scorpions.
The 18-year-old looms as a genuine long-term prospect in Melbourne’s engine room.
Jamar, who missed the start of the season due to a calf injury, has played the past three matches for Casey.
“After a delayed start to the season and working off a modified training load, he’s been building up in the VFL and has progressively got better each week,” Mahoney said.
“He showed his ability around stoppages last week, but also went forward and took two strong marks and kicked two goals. He’s improved his fitness and will be a welcome return in the ruck position.”
Byrnes played in Melbourne’s opening three matches of the season, before kicking three goals for Casey two weeks ago. He was an emergency last round against Gold Coast Suns.
“He went out of the team two weeks ago, but played very well at Casey and then he was our non-playing emergency last week,” Mahoney said.
“He gets another opportunity this week.”
Spencer has played all five matches this season, with Evans featuring in three games and McKenzie in the past two. Clisby and Nicholson have yet to play this season.
Forward Rohan Bail will play his 50th AFL match, after making his debut in round 19, 2009 against North Melbourne.
Melbourne has lost its past two matches against the Swans by 31 points and 101 points respectively, after drawing in round one, 2011 and defeating Sydney by 73 points in round 17, 2010.
It will be first time coach Paul Roos has come up against his former club, the Sydney Swans, since taking on the Melbourne role.
Melbourne team: round six
B: Alex Georgiou, Lynden Dunn, Dean Terlich
HB: Jeremy Howe, Tom McDonald, Jack Grimes
C: Daniel Cross, Bernie Vince, Jack Watts
HF: Matt Jones, Chris Dawes, Jack Viney
F: Cam Pedersen, James Frawley, Rohan Bail
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson
I/C: Shannon Byrnes, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Christian Salem, Neville Jetta
EMG: Jake Spencer, Mitch Clisby, Daniel Nicholson
In: Mark Jamar, Shannon Byrnes, Christian Salem
Out: Jordie McKenzie, Jake Spencer, Michael Evans
New: Christian Salem
