Essendon will welcome back Cale Hooker for the clash against Brisbane on Sunday.
The key forward missed last week’s match with Sydney after injuring his finger at training.
The 28 year old has booted 23 goals this season and has formed an important partnership in the forward half alongside fellow 'talls' Joe Daniher and James Stewart.
“That’s worked pretty well, we’ve obviously measured the different combinations throughout the year,” Essendon Coach John Worsfold said.
“Our scoring efficiency has been fairly consistent all the way from early in the season when we had a medium sized player like Kyle Langford playing in that role … to (now) when we’ve had Stewart playing that role.
“Stewart moves really well, he’s quick and he’s an agile tall forward.
“That mixture has been working pretty well.”
Darcy Parish will also make his return to the side after missing two games with a calf injury.
The number five draft pick played in the VFL last week where he picked up 27 possessions.
“It was a big step up for him on the weekend (in the VFL) because he got a lot more ‘inside-mid’ time and he got a fair bit of heat put on him by the opposition because of his early form, so it was a wonderful learning game for him,” Worsfold said.
“He’s had some senior midfielders come back into the group (this year) so he hasn’t had as much time in the ‘inside-mid’ role.
“But he’s been developing really well and he's still impacting games for us in the time he spends forward and on the ball.”
Josh Begley is a chance to make his AFL debut after he was named on the extended interchange bench.
The first year player booted four goals in the VFL on the weekend.
“He’s a big strong boy who moves well and covers the ground well,” Worsfold said.
“He’s got a great blend of power, speed and endurance.
“His form has been very consistent over the last five or six weeks so he’s forced his way in.”
Matthew Leuenberger was also named in the Bombers squad with Shaun McKernan the only exclusion at this stage.
The final team will be announced at 5pm on Friday.
Round 15
Essendon vs Brisbane
Sunday July 2
Etihad Stadium
1:10pm
In: Matthew Leuenberger, Cale Hooker, Darcy Parish, Josh Begley
Out: Shaun McKernan
New: Josh Begley (Eastern Ranges)
B: Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley, Andrew McGrath
HB: Darcy Parish, Michael Hurley, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
C: David Zaharakis, Dyson Heppell, James Kelly
HF: Orazio Fantasia, Cale Hooker, Brendon Goddard
F: James Stewart, Joe Daniher, Josh Green
R: Tom Bellchambers, Jobe Watson, Travis Colyer
I: Zach Merrett, Martin Gleeson, Josh Begley, Matthew Leuenberger, Kyle Langford, Ben Howlett, Conor McKenna
