Three debutants will line up in Essendon’s season opener with Zach Merrett, Marty Gleeson and Patrick Ambrose named to take on North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
The trio will join new recruit Paul Chapman in donning the sash for the first time in a premiership season match for the Club.
Coach Mark Thompson said all the players selected for their first match had earned their place in the side.
“That is not the most experienced interchange bench you will see but these boys have really deserved their chance,” Thompson said.
The last time the club had three debutants in Round 1 was in 2004 when Brent Stanton, Lovett-Murray and Kepler Bradley all played their first match for the Club.
Gleeson was recruited with selection 53 in the 2012 National Draft form North Ballarat and played 13 VFL games last season.
The silky wingman/halfback had shoulder surgery in the off-season but has since had a stellar pre-season campaign.
Ambrose was elevated to the club’s senior list in place of Alex Browne on Thursday after a strong pre-season on the rookie list.
Merrett was recruited with the club’s first round selection in the 2013 National Draft and will line up alongside his older brother Jackson.
The Merrett brothers now join the Danihers and Watsons as famous family combinations to have played for the Bombers.
All four Daniher brothers played together only once against St. Kilda in Round 22, 1990.
Larry and Tim Watson also playing together between 1977 and 1978, for the first time in Round 13, 1977 and for the last time in Round 22, 1978.
Click here to view the full team.
Bomber on Marty Gleeson
“I am sure that all Essendon supporters and football people think he has great talent and we think so too. At some stage you have to play these young guys if you are going to be a good side and that is what our intentions are. We have seen his ability during the pre-season and deserves his call up.”
Bomber on Zach Merrett
“Zach Merrett is a terrific little player and was our first pick in the draft recently. He kicks the ball well, reads the ball well, is tough and really just has all the qualities you need as an AFL footballer.”
Bomber on Patrick Ambrose
“Patty has played in our VFL team as a top up player and he is just a workhorse. He keeps doing what the coaches want him to do, he pleases us and therefore deserves his chance. He has fantastic athletic ability, his tall, competitive and hopefully he has a good career.”
