Essendon will take its strongest side of the pre-season into the final JLT Community Series match against Geelong on Sunday.
The Bombers welcome back Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis, Mark Baguley, Orazio Fantasia, Dyson Heppell, Patrick Ambrose, James Kelly and Matt Dea for the game in Bendigo.
The 27-man squad named for the game will be trimmed to 24 on match day.
“It’s getting tougher now trying to bring the squad back a little bit,” Essendon Coach John Worsfold.
“The fitness of the guys is getting up so the availability of the players is pretty good.
“There is still an aspect of getting game time in to players and also having a look at players in different roles.
“We’re getting towards what we know will be a difficult selection for round one.”
Josh Green will be rested from this week’s match after his foot was stomped on.
With his history of foot problems, the Club opted to give him a rest this week to ensure he’s available for selection in round one against Hawthorn.
Jordan Ridley (back), Mason Redman, Dylan Clarke, Jake Long, Heath Hocking and Conor McKenna are the others to miss out.
Geelong vs. Essendon
Sunday March 12
4:10pm (AEDT)
Queen Elizabeth Oval (Bendigo, VIC)
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
