Rookie Ben Haynes received the good news this week that the coaching panel had elevated him to the senior list. A position became available on the list when Jordan Bannister broke his collarbone and was put on the long-term injury list several weeks ago. Since returning to the Bendigo Bombers from a 17-week stint on the sideline with a dislocated shoulder, the 22-year-old had been in sensational form. He notched up 37 possessions last week against Sandringham and kicked three goals.

Haynes will get a senior opportunity today when he lines-up against Carlton and this news came as no surprise to most Essendon supporters. In this week’s 3 poll, 56% of Essendon supporters predicted that if the coaching panel decided to elevate a rookie player, the man would be Ben Haynes.

Similar to Haynes, Toby McGrath has also been in solid form over the past few weeks. McGrath was also in the mix to be the rookie promoted to the senior list. 22% of voters said that McGrath would be their choice to be elevated. Another rookie that continues to impress this season is Courtney Johns. The former East Fremantle player has been nursing an injured hip for the majority of the season, but in the games he has played has come on for bursts and had a big impact. Johns received 12% of the votes in this week’s poll. The remaining three rookies – Ken Hall, Scott Howard and Adrian Wilson shared the remainder of the votes.

Remember to vote each week in the Weekly Poll because one lucky voter will receive two finals' series tickets which includes two tickets to the 2003 Grand Final.

This is what some of the Bomber fans had to say:Stuart Nixon from Ascot Vale says: Ben reminds me of a young Mark Mercuri, if we could get a reincarnation of Mercs in the midfield the fab four would start to look stale.
A. Santos from NSW says: I watched Ben play in Canberra and he certainly was a player with a lot of promise. I hope he is given a chance because he deserves it.
Damon Beckwith from Essendon says: Ben Haynes is the obvious choice. He is a zippy midfielder/small forward who gathers both loose and hard possessions and kicks goals in the Brent Harvey mould. On the other hand, he is eligible for a second year on our rookie list so maybe Ken Hall and Scott Howard should be given first crack. Both have shown some ability playing that medium defender/midfielder role and both are fit and show good footskills. Toby McGrath will get his chance eventually.
Glenn Sperling from Delahey says: I would definitely like to see Ben Haynes get promoted from the rookie list. His form has been excellent in the seconds. He has great speed, skill and is very good around goals. He should be put into the senior side this week against Carlton, a chance to prove himself at senior level. He is very consistent and if we happen to make the finals, I believe he will be more than a handy acquisition.
Paul Mazziotta from Mill Park says: Ben Haynes reminds me of the 1999 season with Mark Johnson. Mark had a great start to the season, broke his collar bone and then came back really strong to play a few games at the end of the 99 season, then of course was a key to the 2000 season. Although Ben is a little different style of player to Mark, his determination to come back from his injury is similar. Hard running midfielders are so important these days - Ben would be ideal.