The Coaches have announced the squad for this Sunday’s game against the Adelaide Crows.
There will be at least three changes to last week's team, with James Kelly (rested), Shaun McKernan (illness) and Mitch Brown (groin) the confirmed outs at this stage.
Craig Bird and Sam Michael have been named in the starting 18 and will line up on Sunday.
James Polkinghorne, Sam Grimley, Jackson Merrett and Mason Redman have been named on the extended bench, with the final team to be announced on Friday.
It would be reward for effort for Polkinghorne who has been consistent in his performances with Essendon VFL since his brief stint with the senior team.
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Bird will also be looking to put a minor quad injury behind him, and give some much needed grunt to the Essendon midfield.
The midfielder has been part for the younger group, with his grit and willingness to get to the bottom of the pack a highlight of his year so far.
South Australian fans will also be excited to see the home town hero, Aaron Francis, for the first time this year.
The youngster was impressive on debut, taking seven marks including a team high four contested marks.
Check back tomorrow at 5pm to see the final team.
Essendon vs. Adelaide:
Round 19
4:10PM (ACST), Sunday July 31
Adelaide Oval
Click here to see the Crows' squad.
IN: J.Polkinghorne, C.Bird, S. Grimley, S.Michael, J.Merrett, M.Redman
OUT: J.Kelly (Rested), S.McKernan (illness), M.Brown (Groin)
B: M Dea, M Hartley, A McDonald-Tipungwuti
HB: M.Gleeson, S.Michael, A Francis
C: Z Merrett, D.Zaharakis, W Hams
HF: A.Cooney. P.Ambrose, O Fantasia
F: J Laverde, J.Daniher, D.Parish
Foll: M.Leuenberger, C.Bird, B Goddard
IC FROM: C.Dempsey, J.Merrett, M.Redman, K.Langford, C.McKenna, J.Polkinghorne, S. Grimley
