Bomber big man Steven Alessio has made his absence from the senior team a short one after he was today named in the Essendon side to play St Kilda this Friday night.

Alessio played an excellent match for the Essendon reserves last weekend and as a result has been rushed back into the senior side.

Gary Moorcroft has also been included in the Essendon side while Dean Wallis (calf) and Darren Bewick (omitted) have been left out of the side.

Wallis has struggled to shake off the calf problem for the past couple of weeks and selectors decided he should miss this weekend to ensure the injury doesn't worsen.

Moorcroft has been excellent the past two weeks in the reserves and he has also played some quality football in the seniors this season.

Moorcroft was the obvious replacement for Bewick who has been eased back for match fitness reasons as much as anything.

Bewick has been used of the bench all season, playing mainly up forward. He will probably be given the chance to have an extended run on the ball in the reserves to ensure he maintains his match fitness.

Aaron Henneman, Danny Jacobs, Gary Moorcroft and Steven Alessio have been named on the bench for tomorrow night's match.