Essendon will field a young side for its opening NAB Challenge game of 2014 against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Monday night with four youngsters in line to Don the Sash for the first time.
Zach Merrett, Orazio Fantasia, Kurt Aylett and Fraser Thurlow are all in line to play their first game in the red and black since being drafted to the club in the off-season.
Merrett and Fantasia were taken with selections 26 and 55 respectively in the national draft, Thurlow taken with the first pick in the rookie draft and Aylett traded to the Bombers from GWS.
The Bombers will be without a number of stars for their first pre-season hit out with Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard, Paul Chapman, Dustin Fletcher and Courtenay Dempsey among the big names to miss.
Brent Stanton, David Zaharakis, Dyson Heppell, Heath Hocking, Michael Hurley and Patrick Ryder are among the more experienced players named in the squad to face the Suns.
The 29-man squad will be cut back to a final team of 26 ahead of the clash against the Suns on Monday night.
Edwards was in modified group a week or two back. That’s the only reason I can think of for not sending him to gc. But then I see dalgleish, who hasn’t trained this week. Surely not?
Edwards was in modified group a week or two back. That's the only reason I can think of for not sending him to gc. But then I see dalgleish, who hasn't trained this week. Surely not?
I think he might be right in line, will play in the a squad the week after
1. Jaeger O‘Meara, 3. Timmy Sumner, 4. Jack Martin, 5. Jarrod Harbrow, 9. Gary Ablett (c), 12. Sam Day, 13. Andrew Boston, 14. Matthew Warnock, 15. Daniel Gorringe, 17. Steven May, 18. Trent McKenzie, 19. Tom Lynch, 20. Henry Schade, 21. Jeremy Taylor, 22. Tom Nicholls, 23. Charlie Dixon, 24. David Swallow, 25. Danny Stanley, 26. Matthew Shaw, 27. Clay Cameron, 31. Jackson Allen, 32. Brandon Matera, 33. Aaron Hall, 35. Michael Rischitelli, 36. Greg Broughton ,37. Jesse Lonergan ,40. Sean Lemmens ,46. Josh Hall
Agree.
Why risk our A graders when we all know how good they can play.
Very very anxious on all the others who haven't played a game yet. And of course the Hurley and Carlisle switch.
GCS fielding a near full strength side, so cannot wait!
A lot of newbies, bit like a VFL side, surprised not to see Ambrose in there. Jetta to star and be BOG :). Seriously though a real chance for Dell and Thurlow to shine.
Hamstring issues from last season or so it seems. Affecting his fitness. People are also insinuating he isnt doing all he can do to get fit, but I have nfi how they would know that.
Club says he should be fit by round one, but his preseason has been shithouse.
Hamstring issues from last season or so it seems. Affecting his fitness. People are also insinuating he isnt doing all he can do to get fit, but I have nfi how they would know that.
Club says he should be fit by round one, but his preseason has been shithouse.
Thanks for that.
Hope there are no personal issues...
Its great to see a squad list of players preparing to play an actual game. Exciting to see some faces most of us have only read about in the treasured training & VFL reports.