Joe Daniher headlines a group of four players returning from injury in Essendon VFL’s clash with North Melbourne at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday morning.
Daniher, who suffered a calf strain at training earlier last month after osteitis pubis sidelined him for the majority of 2018, joins Matt Dea, Jayden Laverde and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher in the 27-man squad.
It will be Dea’s first match for the year, while Laverde and Zerk-Thatcher have overcome ankle injuries they sustained in a VFL practice match against Sandringham last month.
Young gun Sam Draper will stand tall in the ruck alongside on-ballers Dylan Clarke and Trent Mynott, with the trio putting in impressive round one performances.
Josh Begley will continue building on his match fitness, starting in the forward pocket, while experienced Bomber Michael Hartley retains his position at full-back as one of 19 senior-listed Bombers named.
Skipper Aaron Heppell features on the extended bench, after missing the season-opening win against Frankston.
Jacob Brown will be the 23rd player for a second time.
The team will be finalised ahead of the match, which will begin from 11am this Saturday.
Essendon VFL will live-tweet the game, while a video livestream will be shown on the VFL website.
B: 10. Francis, 36. Hartley, 41. McNiece
HB: 30. Zerk-Thatcher, 49. Dea, 33. Ham
C: 46. Jok, 15. Laverde, 8. Gleeson
HF: 34. Long, 32. Gown, 4. Langford
F: 16. Begley, 6. Daniher, 22. Mosquito
R: 38. Draper, 37. Clarke, 39. Mynott
Interchange: 70. Liam McKenna, 62. Nino Lazzaro, 77. Heath Hocking (VC), 24. Houlahan, 61. Wilson Berry, 64. Ray Connellan, 59. Aaron Heppell ( C ), 55. Danny Younan (VC)
23rd: 51. Jacob Brown
