First-year livewire set to replace injured star Christian Petracca as Melbourne Demons reshuffle squad for North Melbourne clash

The Melbourne Demon are set to take on North Melbourne on Saturday night, and significant changes have been made to their lineup. Young gun Koltyn Tholstrup is in the selection mix as a replacement for the injured veteran Christian Petracca.

Petracca sustained season-ending injuries in the King's Birthday loss to Collingwood last week, and the star midfielder would need to be replaced ahead of Round 16.

Livewire Tholstrup is the current top choice as the club hopes that the first-year star would add some energy to the side this weekend following his best performance so far for Melbourne at VFL level in Round 11. The 18-year-old made 29 disposals, made nine clearances and five tackles and kicked three goals in Casey's win over Collingwood's reserves to get into the selection mix.

His timely performance was right in the sights of the Demons’ match committee, who look to empower their front half after losing Petracca.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday morning, Melbourne Demons coach Simon Goodwin confirmed that Tholstrup is being considered for a recall, but added that the entire team will need to do better to fill the void left by Petracca's absence. He said:

"He has progressed really strongly in the VFL. He's certainly gone back and developed his game from a midfield perspective and also forward of centre. He's someone we'll look at really closely. He's a high draft pick with high talent, he gives enormous effort, he's tough, so he's someone that we'll certainly look at.

"We'll bring a player in and expand some players' roles to try and fill that void. It's not about just one player, it's about a team, it's about a method and it's about the collective, and that's what we need to do – be really tight, united and forge our season ahead."

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Melbourne Demons lineup changes ahead of Round 16

AFL Rd 12 - Melbourne v Fremantle

With Koltyn Tholstrup in conversations to replace injured midfielder Christian Petracca, the Demons are set to undergo quite a number of changes.

In their defensive structure this week, veteran stopper Adam Tomlinson would make a return after being dropped for the loss to Collingwood.

The Melbourne team will revert to a more key-position-focused arrangement that will see Tomlinson, Tom McDonald, and Steven May together in the back lines.

This ensemble could translate to youngster Blake Howes being out again, while star backman Jake Lever would be out for at least another week due to his knee injury.

Melbourne coach Goodwin, speaking on Tomlinson's return, told the press:

"Adam Tomlinson has been in some really fantastic form both when he's been in the team, but also when he went back to VFL level. So, he's someone that will come back in to really balance out that backline for us, that's certainly one change that we'll make and we'll assess everything after that."

Shane McAdam and Oliver Sestan worked at the front lines to conduct six goals in Casey's most recent win. Melbourne could look to reward the pair.

Sestan is yet to play in the AFL side, but he has put up a remarkable performance at the state league level this year. McAdam has endured injury and form issues that have had him in and out of the Demons’ team in his first season.

Any further inclusions could offer Harrison Petty or Jack Billings a spot at selection, despite their recent form struggles.