MELBOURNE has added three players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne at the MCG.
The Demons have added ruckman Mark Jamar and midfielders Ben Newton and Matt Jones to the mix.
Newton, ball-winner Viv Michie, first-year Demon Alex Neal-Bullen, tough-nut Aaron Vandenberg, Jamar, rookie Harmes and M.Jones have been named on the interchange.
The final team will be confirmed on Friday evening.
No players have yet to be omitted.
Manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Jamar, Newton and M.Jones were pushing their claims after strong form in the VFL.
“Last week’s performance was a blueprint to how we want to play each week – strong contested football and keeping the opposition to seven goals and kicking 13,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“Fortunately we had no injuries from the game and have included Mark Jamar, Ben Newton and Matt Jones into the squad.
“This time of the year, players are being managed during the week and a number of players, particular our younger players, have had light starts to the week before tomorrow’s (Friday) main session.”
Jamar has been in outstanding form for Casey and has been an emergency for the past four rounds.
He played the opening five matches of the season, but hasn’t appeared since, after Jake Spencer took over the No.1 ruck mantle and then more recently Max Gawn.
Newton has played eight matches in his first year at the club, after making four appearances for Port Adelaide last year.
He hasn’t played for the Demons since round 10 against Collingwood, but was one of Casey’s best last round.
Jones has played six matches in 2015 and has been on the cusp of selection the past two rounds, having been named an emergency.
His most recent game was Melbourne’s loss against the West Coast Eagles in Darwin, but he has since been pushing with strong form for the Scorpions.
Meanwhile, midfielder Dom Tyson will play his 50th AFL match.
Tyson played 13 matches with Greater Western Sydney form 2012-13. He has since played 36 games with the Demons.
The Demons will be aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time since rounds 13 and 14, 2011, when they defeated Fremantle and Richmond respectively at the MCG.
Melbourne will also be looking for its first win over North Melbourne since round 20, 2006.
If the Demons win, they will end a 13-game losing streak against the Kangaroos.
Melbourne team: round 19
B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Neville Jetta
HB: Daniel Cross, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe
C: Jack Grimes, Dom Tyson, Heritier Lumumba
HF: Angus Brayshaw, Chris Dawes, Bernie Vince
F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jack Watts
Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney
I/C (from): Ben Newton, Viv Michie, Alex Neal-Bullen, Aaron Vandenberg, Mark Jamar, James Harmes, Matt Jones
In: Mark Jamar, Ben Newton, Matt Jones
Out: –
