MELBOURNE has lost another tall for its NAB Challenge clash against Richmond on Friday night at Etihad Stadium, with Jack Watts omitted from the reduced squad.
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Joining Watts as players who weren't named when the squad was cut from 29 are Mitch Clisby and Shannon Byrnes.
Watts missed last Friday's intra-club match with gastro.
The omission makes things even tougher for the Demons, with Mitch Clark (foot), Chris Dawes (knee), Jesse Hogan (knee), Mark Jamar and Jack Fitzpatrick also absent.
And, it's another blow for the rebuilding side that wants to make a statement in the pre-season, according to co-captain Nathan Jones.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have left out rookie Todd Banfield, defender Matt McDonough and draftee Nathan Gordon.
Banfield's omission gives him one less opportunity to make a claim for one of the Tigers' nominated rookie spots ahead of round one.
The Tigers, as they did in 2013, are in a position to elevate two rookies to the senior list before the premiership season begins.
Just two of their rookies are playing on Friday night - former Greater Western Sydney midfielder Anthony Miles and ruckman Orren Stephenson, who will start as a substitute in the first half with Jake Batchelor.
The Demons will have Michael Evans and Dom Barry starting in the green vest.
Both teams can reset their substitutes at half-time, as per pre-season rules.
RICHMOND v MELBOURNE
Friday, February 14
Etihad Stadium, 7.10pm AEDT
RICHMOND
Friday, February 14
Etihad Stadium, 7.10pm AEDT
RICHMOND
Omitted from provisional squad: Todd Banfield, Matt McDonough, Nathan Gordon
Final team: 1. Chris Newman, 3. Brett Deledio, 4. Dustin Martin, 5. BrandonEllis, 6. Shaun Grigg, 9. Trent Cotchin, 10. Shane Edwards, 11. JakeBatchelor, 12. David Astbury, 14. Bachar Houli, 16. Shaun Hampson, 18.Alex Rance, 24. Ben Griffiths, 26. Anthony Miles, 27.Aaron Edwards, 29. Ty Vickery, 30. Troy Chaplin, 31. Nick Vlastuin, 32.Brad Helbig, 33. Kamdyn McIntosh, 34. Liam McBean, 35. Ben Lennon, 37. Orren Stephenson, 38. Steven Morris, 41. Nathan Foley, 42. Sam Lloyd
Substitutes: Jake Batchelor, Orren Stephenson
MELBOURNE
Omitted from provisional squad: Jack Watts, Shannon Byrnes, Mitch Clisby
2. Nathan Jones, 5. Jimmy Toumpas, 8. James Frawley,9. Jack Trengove, 12. Dom Tyson, 13. JordieMcKenzie, 14. Lynden Dunn, 17. Sam Blease, 18. DanielCross, 19. James Strauss, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. Viv Michie, 23.Bernie Vince, 24. Jay Kennedy-Harris, 25. Tom McDonald, 26. DanielNicholson, 31. Jack Grimes, 32. Michael Evans, 33. Dom Barry, 38. JeremyHowe, 41. Alexis Georgiou, 42. Jake Spencer, 44. Rohan Bail, 45. MattJones, 46. Dean Terlich, 47. Max King
Substitutes: Michael Evans, Dom Barry
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