First-round draft pick Dyson Heppell will make his debut against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, Essendon coach James Hird confirmed on Thursday.
After a reduced squad of 26 Essendon players trained at Etihad Stadium, Hird said 18-year-old Heppell, who was taken with pick eight in last year's NAB AFL Draft, would face the Bulldogs.
Rookie Stewart Crameri will be elevated onto the senior list after impressing in the NAB Cup and also will play.
""I’d say that Dyson Heppell is very close to being in the team and will probably play his first game this week,"" Hird said.
""Sometimes it takes some guys more time to play their first game, but Dyson’s lucky to be playing in round one and we just hope that he plays well and enjoys the experience.
""And it’s great for Stewart Crameri, we’re putting him up on the (senior) list today, so it’s great for him and he’ll play as well,"" he said.
Hird said Heppell would be the only debutant for the Bombers, with Michael Hibberd likely to play in round two.
He also suggested speedy forward Alwyn Davey was a good chance to play in round one despite suffering a hairline fracture to his arm only four weeks ago.
""Alwyn broke his arm against Melbourne, but he’s a chance,"" Hird said.
""We just need to clear some stuff with him on Friday or Saturday, and he’s a chance to come in, but we won’t risk him either. If he doesn’t get through what we want him to get through, then we’ll leave him for another week.""
Hird said he was yet to decide who would be used as a substitute on Sunday, but he confirmed David Hille was certain to play despite limited preparation in the pre-season.
""David will play. At this stage I can’t see why he won’t. We haven’t got that far down the track [on substitution] and we don’t have to make that decision until 90 minutes before the game on Sunday.""
Nathan Lovett-Murray, who only returned to full training last week, left Thursday’s light session early, while forward Mark Williams will play for Bendigo Bombers in a practice match tomorrow afternoon.
""Mark’s definitely in the mix for our team. He won’t be playing on Sunday, but we’ve got a forward line that is very strong with (Michael) Hurley, Patrick Ryder and now Crameri coming into the team, so he’s definitely a part of the mix and will be looked at for next week,"" Hird said.
""He just needs to work on playing a good game of football, getting out in the reserves tomorrow and playing a good game. It’s nothing in particular, there’s probably just a couple of guys in better form.""
