Comeback kid Clint Bartram believes the axing of Melbourne stalwart Adem Yze is a sign of the club's depth, not the end of his team-mate's career.

Bartram, who will play his first game in 12 months for the Demons against the Bulldogs at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, is one of three inclusions to the side which was humbled by Hawthorn in Round 1.

Fellow youngsters Lynden Dunn and Colin Sylvia join Bartram in the 22, while Yze, Brent Moloney and Ricky Pettard have been dumped.

But Bartram has tipped Yze to fight his way back and add to his 266-game career.

"Adem's been a great player down at this club for many years now. I suppose it's (his demotion) starting to show the depth in our list," Bartram said ahead of a light hitout at Trevor Barker Oval in Sandringham on Friday morning.

"We've got a lot of good young players coming up and everyone's got to fight for their spot now."

Bartram himself has fought hard to regain his place in Melbourne's senior side.

The hard-running 20-year-old did not miss a home-and-away match in 2006, his first with the club, but an ankle injury kept him out of Melbourne's two finals.

In 2007 he played the opening match of the year against St Kilda before a knee injury suffered at training halted his meteoric rise.

"I have played three weeks down at Sandringham and haven't even thought about it (the injury) once," Bartram declared.

"It's one of those things that goes straight to the back of your mind and all you want do is get out there and play footy, which is what you love doing."

And now that he's back, Bartram wants to make a difference.

"It was pretty disappointing watching the boys when they go down by 104 points. If we could turn it around this week it would be good."

"Jimmy McDonald has his 200th game. That's going to be a pretty special day for him so if we could get over the line that would be really good."

Bartram said coach Dean Bailey had kept positive during the week.

"The coach has been really good. He's stayed pretty low key," Bartram said.

"We've come back to our game plan, said exactly what we want to do this week and I think everyone is keen to follow that plan and get our first win on the board."