Melbourne president Don McLardy has made clear the contrasting feelings the AFL club holds towards ex-Demons James McDonald and Tom Scully.

Ahead of the Greater Western Sydney pair’s first meeting with their former club at the MCG on Sunday, McLardy lavished praise on former skipper McDonald, who was cut by the Demons after 251 games at the end of 2010.

But he would not even mention by name 2009 No.1 draft pick Scully, who left Melbourne at the end of last season to take a Giants contract believed to be worth $6 million over six years.

“GWS do have a couple of players out there who know a bit about the MCG and they used to run around wearing the red and blue,” McLardy said at a club function.

“Most notable is our former captain James McDonald, who was a great servant of our footy club.

“I touched base with James yesterday and I wished him all the best for his first game against the team he represented so magnificently for 200 games.

“He is a very high quality person and let’s hope some time in the future we accept him back within our club in some capacity.”

McLardy then closed his speech with no mention of Scully.

Earlier, he said the Demons expected improved results in the second half of the season but would also be trying some new things.

“We’ll do a bit of experimentation with our players in the second half of the year,” McLardy said.

“You might see some players in new positions.

“I think we’ve already seen some good results of that with Jack Watts and Col Garland moving around the ground a bit.”