James McDonald and Cameron Bruce will co-captain Melbourne in the absence of David Neitz.

The Demons placed their full-forward and long-time captain on the AFL long-term injury earlier this week as he struggles to overcome a neck injury.

It means Neitz is out of action for at least eight weeks and he has confirmed he will retire at the end of this season.

But Neitz is determined to play again before he leaves the game.

"The (player) leadership group, in discussion with the coaching staff, strongly agreed that both McDonald and Bruce were the appropriate choices to lead the team over the next eight weeks," the club said in a statement.

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