NAB Challenge 2015: Melbourne to unleash recruits in pre-season match against Fremantle

MELBOURNE recruit Heritier Lumumba will make his debut for the club in Thursday’s NAB Challenge match against Fremantle.

Heritier Lumumba (left) shares a joke with team mate Jimmy Toumpas during Melbourne Demons AFL training at Gosch's Paddock on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, in Richmond, Australia. Picture: Hamish Blair

MELBOURNE recruit Heritier Lumumba will make his debut for the club in Thursday’s NAB Challenge match against Fremantle.

Lumumba is one of six new arrivals to play in the pre-season opener at Fremantle Oval alongside recycled trio Jeff Garlett, Ben Newton and Sam Frost, father-son recruit Billy Stretch and mature-aged rookie Aaron Vandenberg.

Melbourne used its second pick in the rookie draft to secure Canberran ball magnet Vandenberg.

The 22-year-old was named has starred for NEAFL side Ainslie, averaging 30 disposals — 15 contested — and seven clearances in his past 38 games.

Vandenberg amassed a 56 disposals in one match last year.

Jesse Hogan in action during Melbourne training at Gosch’s Paddock. Picture: Hamish Blair

Demons coach Paul Roos today played down the imminent return of exciting forward Jesse Hogan.

“We’re expecting him play his role, be in good form in the NAB Cup and hopefully get a game in Round 1,” Roos said.

Demons name Aaron vandenberg in #NABChallenge. 22yo rookie, had 56 disposals in a NEAFL game last year. $127,900 mid #watch

— SuperCoach Insider (@SC_Insiders) March 3, 2015

Hogan has not played since he aggravated a chronic back complaint in last year’s NAB Challenge.

The Dockers have also named a strong line-up with Matthew Pavlich, Michael Johnson, Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Walters and David Mundy set to open their campaigns.

Fremantle

H. Ballantyne, N. Suban, M.de Boer, M. Walters, T. Sheridan, J. Griffin, T. Mzungu, D. Mundy, H. Crozier, L. McPharlin, C. Blakely, M. Taberner, M. Barlow, T. Smith, C. Mayne, M. Duffy, L. Neale, B. Grey, S. Hill, C. Sutcliffe, M. Pavlich, Z. Clarke, A. Silvagni, J. Hannath, M. Apeness, C. Pearce, P. Duffield, M. Johnson, L. Spurr

Melbourne

J. Hogan, N. Jones, C. Salem, J. Toumpas, C. Dawes, J. Viney, H. Lumumba, M. Gawn, D. Tyson, J. McKenzie, L. Dunn, B. Stretch, D. Kent, S. Frost, D. Cross, B. Newton, C. Garland, C. Pedersen, T. McDonald, J. Kennedy-Harris, V. Michie, J. Grimes, M. Jamar, A.vandenBerg, M. Jones, J. Spencer, R. Bail, J. Garlett, N. Jetta

Originally published as NAB Challenge 2015: Melbourne to unleash recruits in pre-season match against Fremantle