The Coaches have made several changes to the team that will face Sydney this Saturday afternoon at the SCG.
Mark Baguley, Craig Bird and Shaun McKernan will all return for the game while Nathan Grima and Mason Redman will both make their Essendon debut.
The five players come in for Darcy Parish, Kyle Langford, Marty Gleeson, Sam Grimley and the injured Mathew Stokes.
Redman’s debut will be the highlight of the round.
Taken by the Bombers with Pick 30 in the draft, the South Australian has demonstrated great signs in his four games with Essendon VFL averaging 14 disposals, five marks, three tackles and kicking seven goals.
Mark Baguley and Craig Bird will also make their return from injury, after they both missed last week’s game against Carlton.
Darcy Parish and Kyle Langford will both miss their first game of the season with Coach John Worsfold mindful of managing their loads on the back of another short week.
“It was another short week for us, really it was around recovery early in the week,” said Worsfold
“We had a good hit out on Wednesday, now it’s just getting ready for the game again.
“With Stokes and his injury it meant we had to make at least one change but there are a few other changes – a couple of them around looking after some of our younger players who have been really good so far.
“They’re showing a few signs of fatigue so we’ll give them a rest this week.
NSW fans are encouraged to join the boys for open training and a fan forum featuring Mark Harvey, Kevin Sheedy and CEO Xavier Campbell. Details can be found here.
Sydney vs. Essendon
Saturday May 7, 4:35pm
SCG
Full Team:
INS: Mark Baguley, Craig Bird, Shaun McKernan, Nathan Grima and Mason Redman
OUTS: Darcy Parish (rested), Kyle Langford (rested), Marty Gleeson (omitted), Sam Grimley (omitted) and Mathew Stokes (injured)
Milestones: Mason Redman (debut)
B: A. McDonald-Tipungwuti, N.Grima, M.Baguley
HB: J.Kelly, M.Hartley, M.Dea
C: J.Simpkin, D.Zaharakis, B.Goddard
HF: O.Fantasia, M.Brown, A.Cooney
F: C.Dempsey, J.Daniher, M.Redman
Followers: M.Leuenberger, Z.Merrett, R.Crowley
IC: C.Bird, J.Gwilt, S.McKernan, J.Polkinghorne
Emergencies: J.Merrett, P.Ambrose, K.Langford
