Zach Merrett says the pressure for spots in the Essendon side is well and truly on more than two weeks out from the start of the season.

The reigning Crichton Medal winner was one of eight inclusions for the Bombers final pre-season hit out against Geelong on Sunday.

Among those missing out are Conor McKenna, who played the final eight games last season, and Heath Hocking who has clocked up 124 matches for the Club.

“He’s [Hocking] a super player and has played for ten years at the Club and he’s someone that’s really respected in the playing group,” Merrett said.

“To see him and Ben Howlett and a number of other players not get a game it shows there is great competition for spots and going forward that’s what we need.

“The first two JLT games were a test for the younger players and gives them a chance to run around and taste AFL footy.

“But as the last game closes in, it’s time to crack the whip and have a good crack against Geelong.”

Cale Hooker could provide a further boost for the Bombers as he continues to increase his training load.

See Cale Hooker in action at training here.

“He’s a super player, he’s been tracking really well and he’s clunking them on Michael Hurley so it shows how fit he is,” Merrett said.

The Bombers have named a 27-man squad for the game against the Cats, but will trim the team to 24 on game day.

Geelong vs. Essendon

Sunday March 12

4:10pm (AEDT)

Queen Elizabeth Oval (Bendigo, VIC)

ESSENDON

1. Andrew McGrath, 3. Darcy Parish, 4. Jobe Watson, 5. Brent Stanton, 6. Joe Daniher, 7. Zach Merrett, 8. Martin Gleeson, 9. Brendon Goddard, 11. David Zaharakis, 12. Mark Baguley, 13. Orazio Fantasia, 16. Joshua Begley, 17. James Stewart, 18. Michael Hurley, 21. Dyson Heppell, 22. Matthew Leuenberger, 28. Mitch Brown, 29. Patrick Ambrose, 30. Kyle Langford, 32. Travis Colyer, 33. Jayden Laverde, 36. Michael Hartley, 40. Ben Howlett, 43. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, 44. Shaun McKernan, 47. James Kelly, 49. Matt Dea

IN: Z.Merrett, Zaharakis, Baguley, Fantasia, Heppell, Ambrose, Kelly, Dea

OUT: Ridley, Green, Redman, Clarke, Long, Hocking, McKenna

GEELONG

1. Rhys Stanley, 2. Zach Tuohy, 3. Brandan Parfitt, 4. Andrew Mackie, 5. Nakia Cockatoo, 6. Lincoln McCarthy, 7. Harry Taylor, 9. Zac Smith, 10. Daniel Menzel, 11. Darcy Lang, 13. Tom Lonergan, 14. Joel Selwood, 18. Josh Cowan, 21. Jordan Murdoch, 22. Mitch Duncan, 23. Aaron Black, 25. Lachie Henderson, 26. Tom Hawkins, 27. Sam Menegola, 29. Cameron Guthrie, 32, Steven Motlop, 33. George Horlin-Smith, 35. Patrick Dangerfield, 36. Tom Ruggles, 40. Jackson Thurlow, 44. Tom Stewart, 46. Mark Blicavs