Essendon has named a near full-strength squad for Saturday’s twilight clash against Richmond in Wangaratta.

Captain Jobe Watson, Ben Howlett and Jake Melksham are set to make an anticipated return from injury for Round 2 of the NAB Cup.

Full squad as follows:

Michael Hibberd
Tom Bellchambers
Jobe Watson
Brent Stanton
Leroy Jetta
Brendon Goddard
Stewart Crameri
Courtenay Dempsey
Tayte Pears
Jake Melksham
Michael Hurley
David Hille
Jackson Merrett
Dyson Heppell
Jake Carlisle
David Myers
Cale Hooker
Elliott Kavanagh
Alwyn Davey
Patrick Ryder
Dustin Fletcher
Kyle Hardingham
Nick Kommer
Heath Hocking
Ben Howlett
Mark Baguley
Cory Dell’Olio