Jason Ashby is a step closer to gaining a spot in the senior line-up after he was named in the extended squad for the Bombers match against GWS on Sunday.

Michael Hartley, Shaun McKernan and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti were also named in the squad that will be trimmed to 22 on Friday. 

Kyle Langford is the only omission at this stage. 

Ashby hasn’t played since round 16 last year and the 22 year old will be looking to add to his ten senior games.

His inclusion in the squad comes on the back of a 25-possession performance in the VFL last week against Sandringham.

“Jason, in a very young backline in the VFL last week, was a real leader down there,” Essendon Coach John Worsfold said. 

“He played really well, his voice was really strong.

“His focus was to be in really good form and to be knocking down the door which he’s starting to do now.

“So, he comes into the squad and he’s getting really close to that opportunity.”

The Bombers will be looking to bounce back after going down to Hawthorn last Friday. 

“We’ve got a longer break this week so we’re really confident the players are going to be a lot fresher and we’ll see that huge effort and energy that they’ve been showing throughout the year again this week,” Worsfold said.

Children aged under 15 will be admitted to the game free of charge.

VicHealth will be handing out 1,000 free water bottles and Skeeta will be on the look out for kids to participate in the guard of honour as the team runs on to the ground.