Fremantle defender Brennan Cox has been recalled off a two-match break for Saturday’s clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

But Oscar McDonald won’t be the unlucky player making the way for Cox.

Skipper Alex Pearce has been managed out of the team after suffering a finger injury against the Western Bulldogs in the previous round.

Pearce has been plagued by injuries throughout his career but has lined up in 18 of his side’s 20 games this year, missing two earlier in the year due to a low-grade knee issue.

McDonald produced a career-best performance against Western Bulldogs last weekend.

Key forward Jye Amiss sent a scare through the Dockers camp when he limped off the training track after a marking drill early on Thursday, but has been named in the team and was one of 24 players who boarded a plane bound for Melbourne mid-afternoon.

The major surprise from Fremantle’s travelling party was the addition of untried forward Tobyn Murray.

The 21-year-old, who was drafted by the Dockers with the 40th selection in last year’s national draft, has been in strong form in the WAFL, slotting nine goals across his last four games. He was named among three emergencies.

Melbourne made two changes, recalling key defender Daniel Turner and small forward Kade Chandler.

Defender Blake Howes is out injured while midfielder Paddy Cross has been omitted. Latrelle Pickett will also miss a second consecutive game with concussion.

Turner is a big in for the Demons as they prepare to take on Fremantle’s big three forwards, Amiss, Josh Treacy and Patrick Voss.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir confirmed prior to the teams being named Mason Cox will partner Luke Jackson in the ruck ahead of a clash against his former mentor, Melbourne superstar Max Gawn.

It means Sean Darcy will again be forced to bide his time in the WAFL as his chances of earning a recall ahead of the Dockers’ finals campaign continue to dwindle.

“There won’t be any change with the way we go about our rucks this week,” Longmuir said on Thursday.

“We feel like Coxy’s doing a good enough job to hold his spot in the side. We like what he what he’s doing.

“We understand Sean’s form at WAFL level has been strong, and thought he took a step forward on the weekend with some of the areas that we’re working on with him, so he’s definitely putting pressure on.”

Longmuir said Jackson and Cox would embrace the challenge of going up against “a great of the game” in Gawn, who is firmly in contention for a ninth All-Australian blazer amid another superb season.

“His (Gawn) form probably has never been better. His influence on the team and on the game has probably never been higher either,” Longmuir said.

“So yeah, it’s a great challenge for our rucks, who we feel is a real strength and barometer for us as well.

“(Jackson) loves going up against the best. He loves trying to improve his game and loves trying to prove himself.

“He knows Max probably better than I do... obviously played with him and got mentored by him. He’ll embrace the challenge.”

The clash presents an opportunity to put a final stake in the ground for the No. 1 All-Australian ruck berth with Gawn, Jackson and Sydney’s Brodie Grundy all with claims.

“He’d be in my team,” Longmuir said of Jackson.

“I don’t see why him and Max couldn’t be in. I don’t see why they couldn’t play a couple of them, but I don’t get caught up in that narrative.

“It’s a body of work it’s not one game, it’s not a head-to-head match up that determines those things. Let the selectors do their job.”

TEAMS

MELBOURNE V FREMANTLE

Saturday, MCG, 11.15am

DEMONS

B: J Bowey J Lever D Turner

HB: C Jiath C Salem T Rivers

C: H Sharp T Sparrow H Langford

HF: K Pickett B Fritsch E Langdon

F: M Jefferson J van Rooyen B Laurie

FOL: M Gawn J Steele C Windsor

INT: K Tholstrup T McDonald H Petty

EMG: X Taylor M Heath P Cross

IN: D Turner K Chandler

OUT: B Howes (injured) P Cross (omitted)

DOCKERS

B: O McDonald B Cox H Chapman

HB: J Clark L Ryan K Worner

C: M Johnson A Brayshaw M Frederick

HF: M Reid S Bolton S Switkowski

F: P Voss J Amiss J Treacy

FOL: L Jackson C Serong H Young

INT: I Dudley M Cox N Erasmus N O’Driscoll J McVee

EMG: H Davies T Murray C Scerri

IN: B Cox

OUT: A Pearce (managed)