MELBOURNE has regained 2016 All-Australian Max Gawn for Saturday’s clash against the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium, but has lost co-captain Nathan Jones (quadriceps) and forward Jack Watts (hamstring).
The Demons have also included speedster Billy Stretch for his first match since round five, after shining for Casey in recent times.
Key forward Sam Weideman, ball-winner Ben Kennedy and defender Josh Wagner have been named emergencies.
Coach Simon Goodwin said it was great to have Gawn back in the side after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since round four. He added that Stretch had worked hard to get back in the side after playing the opening five games of the season.
“[We’ve] got a couple of injuries this week with the skipper going out for probably four to six weeks with a quad strain,” Goodwin said about Jones on Melbourne TV.
“Jack Watts has just pulled up a little bit tight in his hamstring, so we’re hopeful that he’ll be back next week.
“It’s great to have big Max Gawn back in the team and I know our midfielders are really looking forward to getting him back in there and being a bit more proactive around the ball.
“Billy Stretch comes into the team as well – his form at VFL level has been outstanding and he’s gone back and worked on some things and we’re really confident that he’s in really good form.”
Reflecting on last round’s 57-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, Goodwin said it was a “great result” for the team.
“I thought our pressure around the footy and our ability to win the contest was really important for us,” he said.
“We played with an intensity that was up there with the Adelaide game and that was the most pleasing thing – we’re starting to get some consistency with how we play.”
Goodwin said this round’s clash against West Coast was another big test for the team, but one they were eager to take on.
“There’s no bigger challenge than going over to Perth and playing the Eagles. They’re a really strong footy club and it’s going to be a really hostile environment, so what we’re trying to work on as a footy club is become really consistent with the way we play,” he said.
“It doesn’t really matter where we play – we want to play a certain brand and I know the players are looking forward to going to that type of environment and putting their skills on show.”
Sam Frost will play his 50th AFL match this round.
Melbourne team: round 14
B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Jordan Lewis, Sam Frost, Jayden Hunt
C: Christian Salem, Clayton Oliver, Jake Melksham
HF: James Harmes, Cam Pedersen, Christian Petracca
F: Mitch Hannan, Tom McDonald, Jeff Garlett
Foll: Max Gawn, Bernie Vince, Jack Viney
I/C: Dom Tyson, Billy Stretch, Alex Neal-Bullen, Tomas Bugg
Emg: Sam Weideman, Ben Kennedy, Josh Wagner
In: Gawn, Stretch
Out: Nathan Jones (quadriceps), Jack Watts (hamstring)
