Melbourne forward Jack Watts has emerged from coach Simon Goodwin's dog house and will play in the Demons' final AFL pre-season match.
The 25-year-old's non-selection in the opening two pre-season clashes raised eyebrows, the club later admitting he had failed to meet key selection criteria.
While refusing to expand on what those criteria were, football chief Josh Mahoney said Watts had been working hard to redeem himself.
He has been rewarded with inclusion in Melbourne's team to take on West Coast at Domain Stadium on Thursday night, putting himself in the frame to play in round one.
Former co-captain Jack Trengove, Dom Tyson and Col Garland will also make their first appearances of the pre-season competition for the Demons.
The Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast will unleash a couple of stars in Marcus Bontempelli and Gary Ablett respectively when they meet in Thursday's other encounter.
Bontempelli has been slowed by an ankle injury while Ablett will play for the first time since round 16 last year as he completes his recovery from shoulder surgery.
The Dogs have loaded up on talent for their final pre-season clash with skipper Bob Murphy, Travis Cloke, Tom Liberatore, Luke Dahlhaus, Caleb Daniel and Jason Johannisen among the inclusions.
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