Melbourne have welcomed back a premiership pair for their Anzac Day Eve clash with Richmond on Thursday night, as Simon Goodwin looks to record his first winning streak of 2025.
Steven May has been cleared to play in the marquee fixture after a groin niggle kept him out of last weekend’s win over Fremantle, while Bayley Fritsch has been recalled after just one week in the VFL.
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21-year-old Judd McVee is the third player recalled for the Demons, having overcome a serious hamstring injury sustained during pre-season. Forwards Daniel Turner (concussion) and Jake Melksham (managed) will miss the clash, while defender Blake Howes has been omitted.
As well-documented, Noah Balta will miss the match due to his 10pm curfew after sentencing was handed down for his assault on a man in December last year. Interestingly, the 25-year-old’s exclusion has officially been listed as ‘personal reason’, due to his inability to play night games with the curfew.
Samson Ryan will also miss the math with a foot injury, with Rhyan Mansell and the uncapped Campbell Gray called up for the Thursday night clash.
The rest of the Round 7 teams will be announced at 6:20pm AEST on Thursday.
ROUND 7 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
MELBOURNE v RICHMOND
Thursday April 24, 7:30pm at the MCG
DEMONS
B: J.Bowey, S.May, C.Salem
HB: C.Windsor, T.McDonald, J.McVee
C: K.Chandler, J.Viney, E.Langdon
HF: T.Sparrow, T.Fullarton, K.Pickett
F: K.Tholstrup, B.Fritsch, C.Spargo
FOLL: M.Gawn – C, C.Petracca, H.Langford
I/C: C.Oliver, X.Lindsay, T.Rivers, H.Sharp, H.Petty
EMG: J.Billings, B.Howes, A.Johnson
IN: S.May, J.McVee, B.Fritsch
OUT: B.Howes (Omitted), D.Turner (Injured), J.Melksham (Managed)
TIGERS
B: B.Miller, N.Broad, N.Vlastuin
HB: J.Short, S.Banks, L.Trainor
C: H.Ralphsmith, T.Dow, J.Trezise
HF: S.Campbell, J.Ross, S.Green
F: J.Faull, T.Lynch, M.Rioli
FOLL: T.Nankervis – C, T.Taranto, J.Hopper
I/C: R.Mansell, T.Brown, C.Gray, K.McIntosh, S.Lalor
EMG: T.Sonsie, J.Bauer, K.Smith
In: R.Mansell, C.Gray
Out: N.Balta (Personal Reason), S.Ryan (Injured)
COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON
Friday April 25, 3:20pm at the MCG
MAGPIES
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
BOMBERS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
FREMANTLE v ADELAIDE CROWS
Friday April 25, 8:10pm at Optus Stadium
DOCKERS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
CROWS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
ST KILDA v BRISBANE LIONS
Saturday April 26, 1:20pm at Marvel Stadium
SAINTS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
LIONS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
PORT ADELAIDE v NORTH MELBOURNE
Saturday April 26, 4:15pm at Adelaide Oval
POWER
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
KANGAROOS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
GWS GIANTS v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday April 26, 7:35pm at Manuka Oval
GIANTS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
BULLDOGS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
GOLD COAST SUNS v SYDNEY SWANS
Sunday April 27, 1:15pm at People First Stadium
SUNS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
SWANS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
CARLTON v GEELONG
Sunday April 27, 3:20pm at the MCG
BLUES
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
CATS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
HAWTHORN v WEST COAST EAGLES
Sunday April 27, 4:45pm at Marvel Stadium
HAWKS
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
EAGLES
TBA Thursday 6:20pm
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