Jason Ashby, a 19-year-old from the Oakleigh Chargers, will make his AFL debut for Essendon against Carlton at the MCG on Sunday night.

Ashby has been named as one of two inclusions for Sunday night’s clash against the Blues.

Jason Winderlich will join the classy young defender in the team as he makes his return from a hamstring injury.

Patrick Ryder (ankle) and Zach Merrett (omitted) will make way for the pair with Jake Melksham, Leroy Jetta and Elliott Kavanagh named as emergencies.

“It is extremely exciting, I got told yesterday by Bomber when he sent me a text and said you better come and see me,” Ashby said.

“I had a hint of excitement then he just shook my hand and said you have made it mate.”

“I didn’t really know if it was going to happen or not and so when it happened I was full of excitement and rapt to tell them (my family)”

Ashby was drafted with selection 34 in the 2012 national draft and spent the 2013 season developing his game at VFL level.

A strong pre-season campaign with a key focus on improving his decision-making has seen Ashby named for his first game in the red and black.

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