Star ruckman Paddy Ryder and promising recruit Jake Melksham have been left out of the Bombers' final 26-man team to play West Coast at Subiaco tomorrow night.
Ryder's partner is expected to give birth to their daughter any moment now and he will remain in Melbourne while Melksham has a stomach bug.
""Paddy's daughter is due at the drop of a hat and it is too far for him to go home quickly if the baby comes so he will stay in Melbourne and support his partner,"" general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said.
""Unfortunately Jake felt sick this morning and the doctors sent him home. We had to rule him out which is a pity because we were excited to see him but it will give another player an opportunity.""
Essendon's Round 1 NAB Cup team will feature five Bombers making their club debut including big name signing, former Hawk Mark Williams.
To see behind-the-scenes footage from the Shepparton Community Camp click here or to view the picture gallery click here.
For for fans wanting to see the player in Perth this afternoon (Thursday, 11th February) click here for details.
The Round 1 Essendon NAB Cup team is (debut players in bold):
2. Dyson, Ricky
4. Watson, Jobe
6. Monfries, Angus
7. Jetta, Leroy
8. Winderlich, Jason
9. Prismall, Brent
10. McVeigh, Mark
11. Zaharakis, David
12. Welsh, Andrew
14. Lonergan, Sam
16. Pears, Tayte
20. Slattery, Henry
25. Still, Michael
26. Hooker, Cale
28. Daniher, Darcy
29. Davey, Alwyn
31. Fletcher, Dustin
32. Colyer, Travis
33. Williams, Mark
34. Hardingham, Kyle
37. Reimers, Kyle
38. Atkinson, Jarrod
39. Hocking, Heath
42. Lovett-Murray, Nathan
43. Houli, Bachar
44. Bellchambers, Tom
46. Bock, Christian
The West Coast's 29-man squad is:
2 LeCras, Mark
4 Kerr, Daniel
5 Ebert, Brad
6 Nicoski, Mark
7 Masten, Chris
9 Naitanui, Nic
10 Selwood, Scott
11 Priddis, Matt
12 Sheppard, Brad
13 Shuey, Luke
17 Kennedy, Josh
18 Dalziell, Bradd
21 Lynch, Quinten
23 Glass, Darren
24 Rosa, Matt
25 Hurn, Shannon
26 Butler, Sam
27 McKinley, Ben
28 Smith, Ashley
29 Hansen, Ashley
31 Schofield, Will
32 Embley, Andrew
33 Jones, Jordan
34 Notte, Tony
37 Selwood, Adam
38 Jones, Brett
40 Sullivan, Will
42 Wilkes, Beau
47 Stevenson, Lewis
