Only a few days after becoming a Melbourne player, mid-season recruit Joel Fitzgerald has quickly put his name up for an AFL debut after an incredible performance in the VFL.
Fitzgerald joined the Demons following strong form as a Williamstown player, earning his top-flight chance and potential first game this Monday against Collingwood in the King's Birthday clash at the MCG.
"When anyone dishes up a 39-possession game and 12 clearances (they put their name up for selection)," Melbourne coach Steven King said.
"He didn't look out of place at all. To be fair, he's been playing state-league level at that level all year so it wasn't a step up for him.
"But changing clubs, new teammates, different system, it didn't really faze him. He just rocked up and played and for me, I think anyone who dishes up numbers (like that), as a match committee, we've got to look at that and how that would stack up in our team with our balance.
"It's only our T1 today (Thursday), so we'll probably have our first chat about the team this afternoon and see how everyone's placed. Our VFL plays on Saturday, so there's probably a bit of urgency for us to get a squad together.
"But Joel, with another handful, had a good win against the Giants at VFL level. There's six or eight players who have put their hand up for consideration, and we don't judge players by their possession count, but he's certainly been playing at a high level."
Fitzgerald isn't the only Demon turning the selection committee's heads.
Key forward Luker Kentfield is pushing for a senior debut after another strong outing in the reserves, kicking four goals against GWS.
Kentfield has kicked 21 goals in eight games, but back-to-back four-major efforts has created a squeeze.
The Demons will be forced into at least one change, with Andy Moniz-Wakefield suffering an ACL injury in the dying minutes of the GWS loss.
Matthew Jefferson kicked one major from five disposals last week, while Jacob van Rooyen was held goalless against the Giants.
Premiership defender Jake Lever will need to tick off concussion protocols throughout the week to be made available for the Pies clash, while dashing rebounder Changkuoth Jiath is pushing for a return from a knee injury.
Exciting draftee Latrelle Pickett will be a watch after sustaining a corked quad last week.
