Three new Bombers are set to make their Essendon debut in Thursday night’s opening JLT Community Series clash with bitter rival Carlton.
Star recruit Dylan Shiel, exciting draftee Tom Jok and mature rookie Zac Clarke will don the sash for the first time at Ikon Park as the Dons look to kick 2019 off with a bang.
Shiel hasn’t put a foot wrong on the track since arriving at The Hangar from Greater Western Sydney and will join former Giants teammate Devon Smith in red and black to reignite a decade-long partnership between the midfielders.
Jok has impressed selectors throughout the pre-season, highlighted by his superb athleticism, versatility and willingness to take the game on.
Clarke’s 113 games of AFL experience with Fremantle have shone through in recent weeks and the tall will assume the top ruck position in the absence of regular first-choice big man Tom Bellchambers.
Important forward Joe Daniher is a confirmed starter for his first match since round seven last year, with skipper Dyson Heppell and gun midfielder Zach Merrett also set to play a role with restricted game time after overcoming hamstring and ankle issues respectively.
A fitness test on Wednesday cleared dynamic Bomber Jake Stringer to play in the 26-man team after a minor mishap at training on Monday, but the club will take a more conservative approach with Orazio Fantasia, who suffered a corky to his quad in the same session.
Cale Hooker has also been held back from the game, but the key tall is on track to play some restricted game time in the Bombers’ second pre-season hit-out against Geelong on Thursday, March 7.
The first bounce for the clash against the Blues is set for 6:40pm.
FINAL TEAM
B – Patrick Ambrose, Michael Hartley, Jake Long
HB – Aaron Francis, Michael Hurley, Adam Saad
C – Dyson Heppell, Kyle Langford, Zach Merrett
HF – Dylan Shiel, Mitch Brown, David Zaharakis
F – Jake Stringer, Joe Daniher, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
R – Zac Clarke, Andrew McGrath, Darcy Parish
Interchange – Conor McKenna, Tom Jok, Shaun McKernan, Jordan Ridley, Matt Guelfi, Jayden Laverde, Devon Smith, Mark Baguley
Emergencies – James Stewart, Sam Draper, Trent Mynott, Dylan Clarke
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