FREMANTLE looks set to give its experienced players an early taste of match practice, with veterans Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin named for the club's NAB Challenge clash with Melbourne.
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Pavlich, the Dockers' captain, and McPharlin, who was dogged by calf injuries in 2014, were part of a 29-man squad named by the club on Tuesday ahead of Thursday afternoon's game at Fremantle Oval.
McPharlin was one of a number of defenders selected as the club looks to regenerate its back line in 2015, with Tanner Smith, Alex Silvagni and Chris Mayne also in the group.
Star midfielder Nat Fyfe is one of several key players not named for the Dockers, as he recovers from a hamstring strain.
Melbourne fans will get a first chance to see new recruit Heritier Lumumba in Demons colours, with the former Collingwood defender in coach Paul Roos' squad.
Midfielder Jack Viney will miss the clash, however, after receiving a slight head knock at training on Tuesday.
Viney was named in the Demons' original squad but will remain in Melbourne as a precaution before a planned return in the team's next pre-season clash, against the Western Bulldogs.
Midfielder Angus Brayshaw, the No.3 pick at last year's NAB AFL Draft has not been picked for the game, however father-son recruit Billy Stretch has been selected after a promising pre-season campaign.
The Dees will also have young forward Jesse Hogan in attack after his injury battles last season, while mature-aged midfielder Aaron vandenBerg is also in contention for his first game at the club.
Jeremy Howe (hamstring), Bernie Vince (hamstring) and Jack Watts (groin) will sit out the game for the Demons.
FREMANTLE v MELBOURNE
Fremantle Oval, Thursday, March 5, 4.10pm AWST
FREMANTLE
1. Hayden Ballantyne, 8. Nick Suban, 9. Matt De Boer, 10. Michael Walters, 11. Tom Sheridan, 12. Jon Griffin, 13. Tendai Mzungu, 16. David Mundy, 17. Hayden Crozier, 18. Luke Mcpharlin, 19. Connor Blakely, 20. Matt Taberner, 21. Michael Barlow, 22. Tanner Smith, 23. Chris Mayne, 24. Max Duffy, 27. Lachie Neale, 28. Brady Grey, 29. Matthew Pavlich, 30. Zac Clarke, 32. Stephen Hill, 33. Cam Sutcliffe, 34. Lee Spurr, 35. Michael Apeness, 36. Alex Silvagni, 37. Michael Johnson, 38. Jack Hannath, 41. Paul Duffield, 46. Clancee Pearce
MELBOURNE
1. Jesse Hogan, 2. Nathan Jones, 3. Christian Salem, 5. Jimmy Toumpas, 6. Chris Dawes, 8. Heritier Lumumba, 11. Max Gawn, 12. Dom Tyson, 13. Jordie Mckenzie, 14. Lynden Dunn, 15. Billy Stretch, 16. Dean Kent, 17. Sam Frost, 18. Daniel Cross, 19. Ben Newton, 20. Colin Garland, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. Viv Michie, 24. Jay Kennedy-Harris, 25. Tom McDonald, 31. Jack Grimes, 36. Jeff Garlett 37. Aaron vandenBerg, 39. Neville Jetta, 40. Mark Jamar, 42. Jake Spencer, 44. Rohan Bail, 45. Matt Jones
