MELBOURNE has made two changes for Sunday’s clash against the Brisbane Lions at the MCG, with speedster Billy Stretch joining key forward Jesse Hogan in the final 22.
On Thursday night, Hogan was named in the 18, while Stretch was included on an extended bench. Stretch has replaced injured co-captain Jack Viney (foot) and Hogan returns for young tall Sam Weideman.
Melbourne has named utility Angus Brayshaw, Stretch, first-year Demon Mitch Hannan and left-footer Josh Wagner on the interchange. Weideman, hard-nut Ben Kennedy and midfielder Corey Maynard are the emergencies.
Coach Simon Goodwin said Hogan had worked hard to return and Stretch had forced his way back into the team.
“We’ve got just the two changes this week. With Jack Viney going out with a sore foot and Sam Weideman has been omitted,” he told Melbourne TV.
“The two guys coming into the team are Billy Stretch, whose VFL form has been outstanding. He’s gone back and worked on some things and he’s strung together three or four really consistent weeks of footy.
“He comes into the team, along with Jesse Hogan, who is back from a broken collarbone. It’s a real credit to Jesse – he’s had two weeks where he’s worked really hard in the gym, especially around his lower body, while the collarbone healed.
“His last 10 days of training with the football stuff has been brilliant, so to get him back has been a big bonus for the team.”
For Hogan, it will be his ninth appearance for the season, after enduring a tough year. He has been sidelined because of suspension (rounds three and four), the sad passing of his father, Tony, (round six), testicular cancer (rounds eight to 15) and a shoulder injury (rounds 20 and 21). His return looms as a crucial inclusion, as Melbourne continues to push hard with its 2017 campaign.
Stretch, who had 29 disposals for Casey last weekend, will also return for his ninth game this season, and his first since Melbourne’s win over Carlton in round 16.
Viney, who missed two matches with a foot injury in rounds 16 and 17, has played the past four games. But general manager of football operations Josh Mahoney stressed that Viney’s foot injury was different to his previous setback.
“He pulled up sore in his foot, but his previous plantar fascia injury is fine. He’s got a different injury to his foot, which he pulled up sore from on the weekend. He’ll have this weekend off and we expect him to be available next week,” melbournefc.com.au.
Although Weideman has been relegated to an emergency, he notched up his seventh game for the season last week and has been making good progress with Casey. He looms as a fine long-term prospect.
Kennedy, who has yet to play a match this season, continually knocks on the door of selection, after an outstanding season with Casey.
And Maynard, who made his AFL debut against GWS Giants at UNSW Canberra Oval in round 20, has been named an emergency for the second successive week.
Goodwin urged the Melbourne faithful to come out in force for its last home match of the season.
“It’s great to have another home game at the MCG. Last week was a special day for the players,” he said.
“We had [more than] 53,000 fans and it was an incredible feeling there and we’re looking forward to seeing another big crowd against the Lions this week.
“It’s our last home game, so we want to see as many supporters get along and support the boys, as it’s a really important game for the footy club.”
The match starts at 1.10pm.
Melbourne team: round 22
B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Jordan Lewis, Tom McDonald, Jayden Hunt
C: Dom Tyson, Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver
HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Jesse Hogan, Christian Petracca
F: Jeff Garlett, Cam Pedersen, James Harmes
Foll: Max Gawn, Bernie Vince, Jake Melksham
I/C: Angus Brayshaw, Billy Stretch, Mitch Hannan, Josh Wagner
Emg: Sam Weideman, Ben Kennedy, Corey Maynard
In: Hogan, Stretch
Out: Jack Viney (foot), Weideman
