EXCITING midfielder Cale Morton and rookies Austin Wonaeamirri and Shane Valenti have put their hands up for selection in Melbourne’s NAB Cup opening round match against Geelong on Saturday week.

The trio displayed good pre-season form in an intra-club match at Ainslie Football Ground in Canberra on Friday.

The Demons played four 10-minute quarters as well as simulated game situations in several deliberate stop plays.

Morton, the Demons' first round selection in last year's AFL National Draft, collected plenty of possessions on the wing and across half-back, while Valenti won his share of clearances in the middle and used the ball with precision.

Wonaemirri, meanwhile, was a live-wire in the midfield and up forward, exciting the local crowd with his speed and Aaron Davey-like touch.

Coach Dean Bailey was happy with the hitout, particularly after an intensive week of training and community camp programs in Canberra and at the Australian Institute of Sport.

"[The quality was] probably okay, overall. Our skills were down a bit and there was a little bit of fumbling, but there was still plenty of good passages," he said. "We moved ahead today in preparation for next week. There are a few younger guys that did well, Wonaeamirri, [Isaac] Weetra, [John] Meesen did well around the ground, and [Kyle] Cheney did some nice things.

"Wonaeamirri is a small forward who might get his chance next week, but it's way too early to pre-empt his future."

Hailing from St Mary's in the Northern Territory, the 19-year-old Wonaeamirri played senior football with SANFL club Norwood and Northern Territory Thunder last season.

Adem Yze was the only injury hiccup from the match, taken to hospital following an accidental poke in the eye.

The seasoned-campaigner was cleared of any serious damage and is available for selection for next week’s NAB Cup encounter.

Jeff White, Russell Robertson and Brad Green all had solid hitsouts, while David Neitz was rested. The captain is expected to be fit for next Saturday's match against the reigning premiers at Skilled Stadium, while Brock McLean is rated a 50-50 chance after twisting his knee at training on Monday.

Jarryd Rivers was also rested and best and fairest winner James McDonald was unavailable. McDonald had to attend his brother Alex’s wedding.

Cameron Bruce, who did not attend the community camp, remained in Melbourne to receive daily physiotherapy treatment on his knee. He is well on track to play in round one of the 2008 home and away season.

Bailey said the week at the AIS had been positive - an ideal springboard to kick off their 2008 ambitions. "It's been a good week to use the facilities of the AIS and at Ainslie," he said. It has been a good opportunity for us to spend time together in the lead-up to the season and getting amongst the people and supporters in Canberra."