In: Ben Brown

Out: Tom Sparrow

MELBOURNE has added tall forward Ben Brown to its starting 22 ahead of its Round 17 match against Port Adelaide on Thursday night.

Coach Simon Goodwin told reporters on Wednesday that Brown was ready for a return to AFL, having fully recovered from knee surgery that he underwent during pre-season.

"What he's been able to do in the last six or seven weeks is get some continuity in his body and some continuity in his training and playing,” Goodwin said.

“Speaking to Ben, he's really confident in his body and he's prepared to play at AFL level.

"When a player is coming to you and saying that, that gives you a lot of belief as a coach that he's in a great frame of mind and wants to impact the team.

“In his own words, he's ready to go."

Making way is young midfielder Tom Sparrow, who joins Aaron vandenBerg – last week’s unused medical sub – as an emergency for the clash with the Power. 

Jake Melksham and Joel Smith have also travelled with side, making up the remainder of the emergency list.

Adelaide Oval will be at 100 percent capacity for Thursday’s game.

Check out the full team below.