MELBOURNE midfielder Dom Tyson has been withdrawn from Sunday's team to face the Brisbane Lions because of illness.

The Demons gave Tyson until Sunday morning to recover but it was decided he was unable to take his place, with emergency Ben Newton coming into the 22.

The Lions go into Sunday's clash at the MCG as named.

Newton has hit form in the VFL in recent weeks after starting the season sidelined with an ankle injury.

The midfielder racked up 32 possessions and 17 tackles with the Casey Scorpions in last week's win over Box Hill, and he was best afield the week previous with 37 possessions and two goals.