MELBOURNE has named versatile tall Michael Newton as its nominated rookie for 2011.
This means Newton is eligible to play AFL matches at any stage this season - regardless of whether Melbourne has a player on the long-term injury list or not.
Newton, also a second-year rookie, has battled a wrist injury during the pre-season. But he showed some promising signs in the VFL last year, as well as showing his ability down back, when he was one of Melbourne's best against the Brisbane Lions in last October's Shanghai Showdown in China. Newton has also shown an ability to pinch-hit in the ruck.
This ability led to his retention on Melbourne's list for 2011.
He originally joined Melbourne via the 2004 NAB AFL Draft and has since played 25 matches. In 2007, he took the AFL Mark of the Year.
Robert Campbell, Michael Evans, Cameron Johnston, Kelvin Lawrence, Tom McNamara and Daniel Nicholson are the other 2011 Melbourne rookies.
The Demons can also upgrade one of those six players as a nominated rookie mid-way through the season.
In other rookie news, ex-Demon Brad Miller has been named a nominated rookie for Richmond, and former ruckman Paul Johnson has been included on Hawthorn's rookie list for 2011.
