Essendon VFL faces a crucial round 13 clash against Port Melbourne on Saturday at Windy Hill.

Entry to the game is free and there will be live coverage on Channel 7 from 2pm for those unable to attend.

The Bombers will be looking to secure their spot inside the top eight.

Matthew Egan’s men are sitting in eighth position and could move as high as fifth with a win over the ‘Borough’.

Essendon has named 16 listed players in the strong line-up including Sam Michael and Shaun McKernan.  John Worsfold said following last night’s match against West Coast, both men could get a call-up next week to cover the possible absentees of Matthew Leuenberger and Mark Jamar.

Sam Grimley and Nick Kommer return to the VFL squad after missing the last few weeks and exciting youngsters Aaron Francis, Jayden Laverde, Kyle Langford and Jake Long have also been named.

Round 13

Essendon v Port Melbourne

Windy Hill

Saturday July 2

2:10pm (Live coverage on Channel 7 from 2pm)

B: J. Long, A. Francis, S. Michael

HB: M. Redman, J. Freezer, A. Heppell

C: B. McNiece, J. Laverde, N. Kommer

HF: C. McKenna, J. Langford, S. Edwards

F: K. Langford, S. Grimley, Y. Eades

R: S. McKernan, J. Polkinghorne, D. Coghlan

I: G. Nyuon, S. Heavyside, C. Peart, B. Laguda, V. Carboni, A. Morgan, A. McLeod, T. Wallis

23rd Man: N. Holmes