MELBOURNE has made two changes ahead of Sunday’s clash against Carlton at the MCG.
Alongside co-captain Jack Viney, who had already been included in this week’s starting 18, forward Tim Smith will play his first game of the season.
Young tall Sam Weideman has been sidelined with a calf injury, while midfielder Dom Tyson makes way for the inclusions (omitted).
Tyson has instead been named as an emergency, along with Cam Pedersen, Jayden Hunt and Jeff Garlett.
Speaking to Melbourne Media, coach Simon Goodwin said Smith’s call-up comes after consistent performances for the Casey Demons.
“He’s been in terrific form at VFL level,” he said.
“He’s been kicking a fair few goals and obviously putting a lot of pressure on, so we’re looking forward to seeing him again this year.”
Smith played two games in 2017, before a foot injury he sustained in the VFL ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
It’s a similar case for Viney – his troublesome foot has kept him out of the side since Round 21 last year – who comes in after a successful run at Casey last weekend.
Goodwin said Sunday’s match has been a long time coming for the Melbourne faithful.
“It’s great for our supporters, our players and our club as a whole to get Jack Viney back in our team,” he said.
“He’s our co-captain and he’s an important part of what we do and how we play, and we’ve certainly missed him over a long period of time now.
“To get him back, he’s going to have a big impact in our team.”
Tyson, who collected 16 disposals in his side’s 69-point win over Gold Coast in round eight, was “unlucky” to miss out.
“Our VFL team is in terrific form and our AFL team is playing to a really high level, so selection has become really tight,” Goodwin said.
The Demons will be aiming for their fourth consecutive win, with Goodwin pleased in the performances of recent weeks.
“It’s great to build a bank of form,” he said.
“Three weeks in a row now, the team has really played the right way, in every phase of the game.
“They’re starting to build some confidence and some belief in what they’re doing.”
But Goodwin acknowledged a big challenge ahead.
The Blues, too, will be coming off a victory, after recording their first win of the season against Essendon.
“Carlton were terrific last week,” Goodwin said.
“They were exceptional in the contest and played a real physical brand of footy, and we’re expecting no different this week.
“We’ve had some really tight games against Carlton, so we’re going to have to play at a high level, play with a physical style of footy and come ready to go this Sunday.”
Melbourne’s round nine match is its second replacement home game for the season. All match-attending members can gain general admission access by scanning their membership card at the gate on Sunday.
Round nine: Carlton v Melbourne, Sunday, May 20, 1.10pm, MCG (Away)
Melbourne
B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta
HB: Angus Brayshaw, Jake Lever, Mitch Hannan
C: Jordan Lewis, Nathan Jones, Christian Salem
HF: Clayton Oliver, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham
F: James Harmes, Tom McDonald, Christian Petracca
Foll: Max Gawn, Bernie Vince, Jack Viney
I/C (from): Charlie Spargo, Alex Neal-Bullen, Bayley Fritsch, Tim Smith
In: Viney, T.Smith
Out: Weideman (calf), Tyson (omitted)
Emergencies: Dom Tyson, Cameron Pedersen, Jayden Hunt, Jeff Garlett
