MELBOURNE key forward Tom Fullarton has earned his Demons debut and will play AFL football for the first time since the 2022 Semi Final between Brisbane and his new club.
The former Lion crossed to the Demons ahead of the 2024 season and struggled to force his way into the team in his first season at the club.
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Following a five-goal haul in his last VFL outing against Geelong, the 200cm, mobile tall who can also pinch-hit in the ruck, has earned his spot in the senior side and will add to his 19 games of AFL experience.
Fullarton has broken into the selected 23 alongside second-year Demon Koltyn Tholstrup and fellow key tall Daniel Turner, who is playing his third game of the year.
Demons coach Simon Goodwin promised changes ahead of this week’s clash following his side’s loss to Essendon and Bayley Fritsch, Jacob van Rooyen and Jack Henderson have all made way.
The Melbourne forward line has lined up without Fritsch or van Rooyen only once since the latter’s debut, with the Demons experimenting with a new forward structure against the Dockers.
Turner has played as both as a forward and defender in his time at AFL level, offering the club plenty of flexibility with fellow swingman Harrison Petty also spending time up forward last week.
Tholstrup has recovered from bone stress in his back and will slot straight into the AFL side, while the returning Judd McVee, Luker Kentfield and Matthew Jefferson look likely to get VFL football loads under their belts.
Steven May (plantar fascia) and Kozzy Pickett (ankle) have both been named to play after light sessions earlier in the week.
Our Easter Saturday afternoon game will be a family-friendly extravaganza, with plenty on to entertain the kids.
Inflatables, photo opportunities, Zurich mini golf, a DJ truck, silent disco, face painting and plenty of giveaways at the Kids Zone between Gates 2 and 3 make the clash a must-attend for young Demons.
