Aaron Francis will play his first official game for the Bombers in the VFL against Footscray this Sunday at Windy Hill.
The prized number six pick from last year’s draft, Francis has been hampered by an ongoing calf complaint which has delayed the start of his season.
The 18-year-old, named at centre-half back, is no stranger to senior football having played six matches with SANFL club West Adelaide last season.
Chris Peart also comes into the side to make his VFL debut. Peart was part of the St Bernard’s premiership last year is an aggressive and competitive inside midfielder.
The match against the Bulldogs is a must win for the Bombers to stay in touch with the top four.
Both sides sit with three wins and three losses and a game outside the top four, with the Bombers in fifth while the Bulldogs sit seventh.
Footscray are coming off a 19-point win over Port Melbourne last week.
There is free entry to the ground.
Full coverage on VFL Radio via the Club website and App from 11:55am.
Essendon v Footscray Bulldogs
Sunday, 12pm at Windy Hill
B: M. Gleeson, J. Freezer, J. Long
HB: B. McNiece, A. Francis, A. Heppell
C: Y. Eades, D. Coghlan, J. Ashby
HF: S. Edwards, S. Michael, J. Langford
F: W. Hams, S. Grimley, N. Kommer
R: M. Jamar, J. Schroder, J. Merrett
I: R. Crowley, C. Peart, J. Thompson, A. Milham, I. Muller, A. Marklew, M. Dornauf, S. Heavyside, A. McLeod, N. Holmes, B. Dobson, D. Willis
23rd player: B Laguda
