"Remarkable."
Melbourne coach Steven King was being cynical about the VFL fixturing. His reserves side have played two games in a month due to the Round 2 bye and then the exhibition game between South Australia and Melbourne during Gather Round.
"Well, we had to organise a scratch match against Essendon on Sunday at the Hangar," King said.
"Because of the State of Origin game, which we had one VFL-listed player play in. For me, I've got 12 to 15 players who want to play every week to press their claims to improve and play AFL footy, and they're not able to in the current competition.
"It's something maybe the AFL can look at where the standalone clubs have a bye if they lose players, but our AFL-listed players can't play in that State of Origin game, so we just want to play footy so our players can put their hand up for AFL footy.
"When players come up to you and go, 'does this mean I'm not in contention for the first six weeks because there's no games, it's tough."
One of those players that is attempting to push his case for a senior selection, and AFL debut, is draftee Xavier Taylor.
Taylor arrived at Melbourne as a defensive weapon after he was taken with Pick 11 last year.
In his club debut against Footscray, he gathered 17 disposals and eight marks. He backed up that performance last start, amassing 15 possessions and six marks.
Christian Salem's foot injury opens the door for a Demon debut.
"He's going well," King said.
"He's a highly talented young player who can play tall and small, and he's got great attributes. Again, his plying his sort of trade when there is a VFL game on. We've had a couple of byes already, which is remarkable, but from what he's done at training and in game, he's improving every week.
"I'm sure he'll get discussed this afternoon."
King is forced into at least two changes, with Salem ruled out for 4-6 weeks with a foot injury, while Jake Melksham has been downed by an ankle issue.
Trent Rivers and Changkuoth Jiath are also unavailable, further pressing Taylor's case for a debut.
The Demons host Brisbane on Sunday at the MCG
