MELBOURNE has added four inclusions after playing two men short last week, with key players Neville Jetta, Jeff Garlett, Dom Tyson and Sam Frost all named in the 26-man squad.
Tyson returns from a calf strain, while Garlett has recovered from the rib injury that hampered his training post-Christmas.
Medium forward Bailey Fritsch has been named in a forward pocket and looks a likely starter in round one.
The Demons have rested Alex Neal-Bullen and will be without injured veteran Jordan Lewis, who will miss with a minor calf strain.
Lewis suffered a minor calf strain in the Demons' opening pre-season game against North Melbourne, but the club remains confident the 31-year-old will be available for the round one clash against Geelong on March 25.
Thursday, March 8
Melbourne v St Kilda at Casey Fields, 7.05pm AEDT
MELBOURNE
B: J.Wagner, O.McDonald, M.Hibberd
HB: J.Hunt, J.Lever, N.Jetta
C: C.Salem, C.Petracca, B.Stretch
HF: J.Garlett, C.Pedersen, J.Melksham
F: B.Fritsch, J.Hogan, M.Hannan
Foll: M.Gawn, C.Oliver, N.Jones
I/C: J.Harmes, A.Brayshaw, D.Tyson, S.Frost, C.Maynard, B.Vince, T.McDonald, T.Bugg
Emerg: C.Spargo, D.Kent, J.Kennedy Harris, D.Keilty
In: N.Jetta, J.Garlett, D.Tyson, S.Frost
Out: J.Lewis (Injured), A.Neal-Bullen (rested)
Notable absentees: Jack Viney, Jordan Lewis, Alex Neal-Bullen
Note that Melbourne is listed as four ins/two outs as 24 players took the field in its last JLT match v North Melbourne
ST KILDA
B: J.Geary, N.Brown, D.Roberton
HB: J.Webster, J.Carlisle, S.Savage
C: J.Newnes, D.Armitage, J.Sinclair
HF: J.Billings, P.McCartin, J.Steele
F: J.Gresham, T.Membrey, J.Bruce
Foll: T.Hickey, S.Ross, J.Steven
I/C: L.Dunstan, B.Acres, K.Stevens, M.Weller, S.Gilbert, N.Coffield, H.Clark, R.Marshall
Emerg: J.Lonie, N.Wright, B.White, L.Austin
In: J.Billings, J.Bruce, T.Hickey, K.Stevens
Out: B.Long, B.Longer (injured), J.Lonie, N.Wright
Notable absentees: Billy Longer, Jack Lonie, Josh Battle, Hugh Goddard
