One of the most remarkable stories in AFL football will be completed when Hayden Skipworth plays his first AFL game for Essendon this Sunday.
Coach Matthew Knights today confirmed the 26-year-old will be selected after a number of solid performances during the pre-season.
""He will definitely play his first game for the Essendon Football Club and it's a magnificent story of resilience and persistence over the past two or three years,"" Knights said.
""With a few senior players missing out of the midfield (for Round 1) it gives him an opportunity.""
The 177cm midfielder was recruited to Windy Hill with pickNo.3 in the 2008 pre-season draft after winning the Bendigo Bombers best-and-fairest award.
He previously played 44 games with the Adelaide Crows, mostly on a forward flank, before being a surprise delisting.
Knights confirmed that Mark McVeigh, Kyle Reimers and Scott Gumbleton would not be available for selection for Round 1.
""Scott is very disappointed - he has put in a lot of hardwork,"" Knights said.
""He's six foot six, has great endurance, marks well and did everything right during pre-season but the cards haven't fallen his way. He could be three weeks (until he plays) or could be six weeks.
""Our medical staff are doing everything they can but you have to be patient in this game sometimes. He might just be a young man that takes time to grow into his body and, when he does, he might play a string of games.""
Skipworth might not be the debutant this weekend with the coach saying that one, or even two more players might make their first appearance in the red and black.
""Michael Hurley and David Zaharakis are both in the mix for Sunday - they are our first two picks in last year's draft but are both very different types to each other,"" he said.
""We will have another selection meeting this afternoon and make our final decision there.""
