Melbourne has dumped first-choice ruckman Jeff White and lost co-captain James McDonald to a groin injury for Sunday's clash with Brisbane at the MCG.

White, who will be out of contract at the end of the year, had just 11 possessions and 18 hitouts against Sydney last week.

Former elite basketballer Stefan Martin, who completed his first full season of football last year in the VFL, will make his AFL debut.

Young midfielders Simon Buckley and Shane Valenti have been recalled to play against the Lions, while James Frawley has been omitted.

The Lions regain star players Daniel Bradshaw, Travis Johnstone and Justin Sherman for Sunday night's match.

Lachlan Henderson, James Polkinghorne and Cheynee Stiller made way for the trio.

Essendon's Henry Slattery, who suffered a cheekbone injury after colliding with Brendan Fevola last Sunday, will be replaced by Ricky Dyson for Sunday's clash with Fremantle at Subiaco.

The Dockers have made three changes, with Clinton Hinkley, Steven Dodd, and Scott Thornton coming in for the injured Michael Johnson, Jeff Farmer and Ryan Murphy.

Demons football manager Ross Monaghan said White's recent form had not been too bad but he was overlooked because he did not measure up to Brisbane ruckman Jamie Charman.

"There's been a lot of competition between our ruckmen in the last month between Mark Jamar, Paul Johnson, Jeff White and John Meesen," Monaghan said.

"This week against Brisbane - the body strength of Jamie Charman - the decision was made to go with Mark Jamar and Paul Johnson."

Monaghan refused to reveal what White, who was the All Australian ruckman in 2004, had to improve to get back in favour at the club but he said White's axing did not "spell the end of his career."

Monaghan said McDonald had been battling over the past few weeks with a range of injuries and said it was an good time to rest the midfielder with the break coming up next week because of the split round.

Monaghan said Martin, who will make his AFL debut against the Lions, had been pushing for selection in the last two weeks.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP