A QUARTET of Demons have put their hands up to face Geelong in round one after strong showings in Saturday's VFL practice match against Box Hill at Casey Fields.
Midfielder Dom Tyson was the pick of the nine Melbourne-listed players, with his ability to win the ball on the inside and then use it productively standing out in the blustery conditions.
With coach Simon Goodwin watching on, Tyson, who played just one JLT Community Series game due to a calf problem, also booted an excellent goal on his non-preferred foot in the second term.
The full injury list: pre-season
Tyson said he was ready to go if called upon against the Cats.
"I've pulled up well. The fitness staff and coaches were pretty keen to get two games into a few of us and it was a really good hitout in pretty hot conditions," Tyson said.
"I felt like my touch was pretty good. Neville Jetta played well, Jeffy Garlett played well and Harmesy played well, so hopefully it provides a few headaches for the coaches this week and we'll put out a really competitive side next week against the Cats.
"I'm confident and feel like my body's in good shape to have a real crack against the Cats next week. I've still got a few more boxes to tick but you can start twisting your mind forward now and thinking about what's ahead."
James Harmes, a late withdrawal from the second JLT Series game against the Saints due to a head knock, also won plenty of the footy in the midfield.
Harmes brought plenty of energy and linked up well by hand, while he also took a spectacular hanger between half-back and the wing in the third term that would have impressed the Melbourne contingent watching on.
Harmes cramped in the calves late in the four quarter, but he too looks ready to go if called upon against the Cats at the MCG in eight days' time.
Casey VFL coach Jade Rawlings, who is also part of Melbourne's coaching staff, said Tyson and Harmes had given themselves every chance of playing against the Cats.
"Dom and Harmes through the midfield were really good. Dom looked fit and played exactly the way we wanted him to and so did Harmes," Rawlings said.
Defender Neville Jetta was typically solid in the backline and impacted contests physically to confirm himself as a certain starter against the Cats.
Jetta had been battling a quad issue but showed no sign of the ailment against the Hawks.
Speedy forward Jeff Garlett dobbed one goal from limited opportunities but looked dangerous when the ball was in his vicinity.
Garlett played against the Saints but missed the club's first JLT Series game against the Roos after recovering from a rib injury he carried in pre-season after Christmas.
All four have given the Demons' match committee plenty to think about as they try to sort out their preferred 22 for the game against Geelong.
"We got the necessary minutes into them and they looked good so they've put themselves in contention to play next week," Rawlings said.
With Casey coasting to a comfortable victory, key forward Sam Weideman booted two majors and competed for the footy in the air in an encouraging effort after off-season ankle surgery.
Key defender Sam Frost also impressed with his ability to take intercept marks and could come into the frame if the Demons decide to play another tall defender alongside Oscar McDonald and Jake Lever.
Dean Kent, coming off shoulder surgery late last season, was another Demon to impress with his pressure around the contest and breakaway pace.
Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney is a chance to play in the VFL next weekend or the week after as he continues his comeback from a long-term foot injury.
Important Demons Nathan Jones (back), Jordan Lewis (calf), Tom McDonald (toe) and Alex Neal-Bullen (quad) will all face fitness tests ahead of next Sunday’s game against Geelong.
For Box Hill, Hawks-listed duo Dave Mirra and Kieran Lovell were among their best players on a tough afternoon.
Lovell kicked a clever goal in the second term and racked up plenty of touches through the midfield and forward line, while Mirra was solid in defence.
However, Mirra – who could have been in line to replace an injured Grant Birchall in the Hawks' backline – appeared to hurt his hamstring late in the contest and was spotted with ice on his hammy after the game.
