Dawes, Black set for first games

Back ... Chris Dawes looks set to debut for the Demons. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

Former Magpie Chris Dawes will make his long-awaited debut for Melbourne in the club's must-win clash against Gold Coast on Sunday.

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After two encouraging hit-outs in the VFL, Dawes is all but certain to add some much-needed firepower and leadership to the Dees' forward-line at the MCG.

Dawes, one of the club's prized end-of-season recruits, has missed the first six rounds with a recurring hamstring problem but showed positive signs kicking four goals for Casey in the VFL on Saturday.

The Dees were forced to use a makeshift forward set-up against Carlton on Sunday without big men Mitch Clark (foot), Mark Jamar (groin) and playmaker Jack Watts (hamstring).

Jamar and No.1 draft pick Watts will be sidelined for up to two matches, while Clark faces two months out after surgery on his foot.

Dawes, 24, will provide a strong marking target against a weakened Giants backline if he can complete tomorrow morning's training without setback.

Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said the 193cm spearhead was set to make a welcome return.

"He's played two games in the VFL and in the second game, he moved well, he kicked some goals and we expect him to play," Mahoney said.

Melbourne traded picks No.20 (Tim Broomhead) and No.47 (Mitch Wilkins) to Collingwood for the 2010 premiership forward at the end of last year.

Dawes has played only one NAB Cup game for Melbourne because of hamstring and calf troubles.

In other selection news, Brisbane Lions veteran Simon Black is set to make a welcome return to the Lions' line-up when they take on West Coast.

Black completed a full reserves game at the weekend after missing the first six matches with a knee injury.

Jack Redden picked up the burden with 23 possessions and seven tackles in a badly beaten midfield missing the injured Daniel Rich and Claye Beams, and is a likely benefactor from Black’s return.

“A quality player like Blacky will be a massive lift for us boys. We all know what he is capable of and all the boys will get a lift out of it,” Redden said.

An inability to win the contested ball is the Lions' biggest concern heading into the weekend after being smashed in that area against Sydney Swans.

"At the start we struggled to get our hands on the ball... but we started matching them in contested ball and I think we turned the game around after that,” he said.

Despite their rocky start, the Lions have every reason to be confident against a patchy West Coast side that have just two wins to their name and only one Gabba victory since 2008.

"They’re starting to find some form again and it is going to be a tough game but hopefully we match up pretty well against them and get the four points,” he said.

Patrick Karnezis, Jordan Lisle and Sam Docherty are in line for recalls against the Eagles after strong reserves matches on Sunday.

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