Melbourne will unveil prized draft pick Christian Salem in Saturday night’s match against Sydney at the MCG.
Having ticked every box at the lower level, including a best-on-ground performance last week, Salem, 18, will make his debut for the Demons in coach Paul Roos’ first game against his former club.
Salem arrived at the Demons this year alongside Dom Tyson in the deal that sent picks two and 20 to Greater Western Sydney, and the left-footed midfielder has so far impressed the club with his work-rate in the VFL.
He had 32 disposals last week in a starring role for Casey and comes into the team along with ruckman Mark Jamar, who has not played this season because of niggling injuries, and forward Shannon Byrnes.
Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said Salem, a midfield prospect, had played a variety of roles at both ends of the ground in the VFL and the coaching staff were excited about watching him handle the next step.
Sydney has upped the ante by rushing Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes back into the team that defeated Fremantle by 17 points last week. It will be Goodes’ first game in almost 10 months, having been sidelined with a lingering knee injury since round 13 last season.
In other major selection decisions on Thursday night, Hawthorn named key defender Brian Lake for his first game since winning the Norm Smith Medal in last year’s grand final.
Lake features on an extended interchange for Sunday’s match against Richmond at the MCG, but is expected to come in after incumbent full-back Kyle Cheney was monstered by Geelong forward Tom Hawkins on Easter Monday.
The Hawks also named fellow key defender Ryan Schoenmakers in the squad of 25, while Geelong will leave its call on Steven Motlop until later in the week after he was named on an extended interchange for Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash against Port Adelaide.
Motlop, who has not played this season because of a delicate knee problem, could be used as the substitute against the Power.
Carlton, meanwhile, has recalled small forward Jeff Garlett from his two-week stint in the reserves and key defender Michael Jamison is also back for Saturday's match-up at Etihad Stadium against West Coast.
