MELBOURNE has recalled veteran Cam Pedersen to the line-up in place of the injured Jake Lever for the huge Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood at the MCG on Monday.
Pedersen, 31, has not played for the Demons since round two. Defender Joel Smith has also been named for the blockbuster in what will be his first appearance at AFL level since round 17 last year.
Tim Smith has been omitted.
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Melbourne’s interchange will consist of Alex Neal-Bullen, Mitch Hannan, Pedersen and Smith, with the emergencies being Jayden Hunt, the untried Harrison Petty, Jeff Garlett and Billy Stretch.
Garlett and Stretch didn’t play for VFL side Casey on Saturday afternoon, while Jake Melksham will be given till the last minute to prove he is over an ankle problem.
For Collingwood, rookie Flynn Appleby made way for star defender Jeremy Howe.
First-year backman Appleby, 19, has played the past six games and impressed with his hardness and concentration but was squeezed out of the Magpie line-up when Howe was passed fit to return from a one-week layoff with bone bruising in the knee.
Starting on the pine for the Pies are Howe, Taylor Adams, Chris Mayne and Josh Daicos, and the emergencies are Ben Crocker, Rupert Wills, Sam Murray and Appleby.
It will be the first time since 2006 that both teams have been in the top eight when they meet in the Queen’s Birthday clash.
Saturday, June 9
St Kilda v Sydney at Etihad Stadium, 7.25pm AEST
ST KILDA
In: N.Brown, J.Battle, L.Dunstan, N.Coffield
Out: J.Geary (calf), B.White, R.Marshall, J.Billings
SYDNEY
In: T.Papley, T.McCartin, D.Robinson
Out: K.Jack (managed), R.Stoddart, N.Newman
Sunday, June 10
Brisbane v Essendon at the Gabba, 1.10pm AEST
BRISBANE
In: J.Berry, S.Mayes
Out: M.Robinson (toe), C.Cameron (foot)
ESSENDON
In: M.Brown, M.Redman, D.Myers, J.Green
Out: J.Ridley (knee), D.Zaharakis (shoulder), J.Stewart, J.Laverde
Fremantle v Adelaide at Optus Stadium, 2.40pm AWST
FREMANTLE
In: H.Ballantyne, B.Matera
Out: N.Fyfe (suspension), C.McCarthy
ADELAIDE
In: T.Walker, M.Poholke
Out: R.Laird (hand), T.Lynch (side strain)
Monday, June 11
Melbourne v Collingwood at the MCG, 3.20pm AEST
MELBOURNE
In: C.Pedersen, J.Smith
Out: J.Lever (knee), T.Smith
COLLINGWOOD
In: J.Howe
Out: F.Appleby
Byes: Carlton, Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs, West Coast
