MELBOURNE has added seven players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against Essendon at Etihad Stadium.
The Demons have included Jordan Lewis, Charlie Spargo, Mitch Hannan, Tom McDonald, Bayley Fritsch, Tim Smith and Joel Smith.
But the red and blue has lost Christian Petracca (finger), Dean Kent (hamstring) and left out Billy Stretch.
Spargo will make his AFL debut, after being selected at No.29 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft. He was recruited from Albury/Murray Bushrangers.
Key tall Tom McDonald is a chance to play his first match of the season, after overcoming a foot injury. He has been named on the extended bench.
Tim Smith and Joel Smith are also in the mix to play their first game of 2018, after being added to the eight-man interchange.
Bayley Fritsch and Mitch Hannan are also chances to play, having returned to the squad.
Jordan Lewis is back from a hand injury, having been named in the starting 18, after missing last round.
As announced earlier, Petracca will miss this week, while Kent will miss four to six weeks.
The final team will be announced on Friday evening.
Round six
Sunday, April 29
Essendon v Melbourne, Etihad Stadium
Away, 1:10pm (AEST)
Melbourne
B: Jake Lever, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Bernie Vince, Michael Hibberd, Jayden Hunt
C: Jordan Lewis, Nathan Jones, Christian Salem
HF: Angus Brayshaw, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham
F: Alex Neal-Bullen, Sam Weideman, James Harmes
Foll: Max Gawn, Dom Tyson, Clayton Oliver
I/C (from): Charlie Spargo, Bayley Fritsch, Mitch Hannan, Tom McDonald, Jeff Garlett, Timothy Smith, Josh Wagner, Joel Smith
In: Lewis, Spargo, Hannan, T.McDonald, Fritsch, T.Smith, J.Smith
Out: Christian Petracca (finger), Dean Kent (hamstring), Billy Stretch
Essendon
B: Brendon Goddard, Michael Hurley, Adam Saad
HB: Jackson Merrett, Cale Hooker, Dyson Heppell
C: Jayden Laverde, Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish
HF: Matt Guelfi, James Stewart, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
F: Jake Stringer, Joe Daniher, David Zaharakis
FOLL: Matthew Leuenberger, Devon Smith, Andrew McGrath
I/C (from): Patrick Ambrose, Mark Baguley, Kyle Langford, Kobe Mutch, Jordan Ridley, Ben McNiece, Dylan Clarke, Shaun McKernan
In: Jayden Laverde, Matthew Leuenberger, Patrick Ambrose, Kyle Langford, Kobe Mutch, Jordan Ridley, Ben McNiece, Dylan Clarke, Shaun McKernan
Out: Josh Green (injured), Josh Begley (injured), Tom Bellchambers (rested), David Myers (rested), Michael Hartley
