MELBOURNE has made five changes for Sunday afternoon’s clash against Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

Key tall Tom McDonald will play his first game of the season after suffering a foot injury in the pre-season, while Jordan Lewis will return from a week on the sidelines due to a fractured hand.

The Demons have also welcomed back Mitch Hannan and youngster Bayley Fritsch, with small forward Charlie Spargo set to make his AFL debut.

As expected, Dean Kent is out with a hamstring he sustained in the ANZAC Day eve match, while Christian Petracca will also miss with an infected finger. Billy Stretch, Josh Wagner and Jeff Garlett have been omitted.

“It’s good to get a bit of experience back, but also blend that with a bit of youth,” coach Simon Goodwin told Melbourne Media.

Jeff Garlett, Tim Smith, Josh Wagner and Joel Smith have been named as emergencies.

Goodwin said it was “a disappointing finish to the game” against Richmond in round four, but could take some positives out of his side’s performance.

“I thought for three quarters our stuff around the ball and our ability to defend was strong,” he said.

“Clearly, we’ve got to move the ball better and connect better in our offence.

“That’s something that has been a hallmark of our game for a while, but certainly hasn’t been there in the last few weeks.”

With a short five-day turnaround between matches, Goodwin said he’s looking forward to improving on this against the Bombers on Sunday.

“I think it’s a really great opportunity for our club to continue to build on some of the work we did last week, and get ourselves back playing a really exciting and attractive brand of footy, which we know we’re capable of.”

Round six

Sunday, April 29

Essendon v Melbourne, Etihad Stadium

Away, 1:10pm (AEST)

Melbourne

B: Jake Lever, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta

HB: Bernie Vince, Michael Hibberd, Jayden Hunt

C: Jordan Lewis, Nathan Jones, Christian Salem

HF: Angus Brayshaw, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham

F: Alex Neal-Bullen, Sam Weideman, James Harmes

Foll: Max Gawn, Dom Tyson, Clayton Oliver

I/C (from): Charlie Spargo, Bayley Fritsch, Mitch Hannan, Tom McDonald

In: Lewis, Spargo, Hannan, T.McDonald, Fritsch

Out: Christian Petracca (finger), Dean Kent (hamstring), Billy Stretch, Josh Wagner, Jeff Garlett

Essendon

B – Goddard, Hurley, Saad

HB – Ambrose, Hooker, Heppell

C – Guelfi, Laverde, Mutch

HF – McNiece, Stringer, McDonald-Tipungwuti

F – Zaharakis, Daniher, Baguley

R – Leuenberger, Smith, J. Merrett

I/C – Stewart, Z. Merrett, Parish, McGrath



IN: Leuenberger, Ambrose, Laverde, Mutch, McNiece

OUT: Begley, Green, Bellchambers, Hartley, Myers