Joe Daniher will make his first appearance of the pre-season when the Bombers take on Gold Coast on Sunday.
The reigning runner-up in the Crichton Medal has been on a ‘managed’ program over the summer because of a knee complaint.
But a month out from the season opener against Hawthorn, Daniher is happy with how he’s placed.
“I’m just really excited to get out there and play with a lot of guys I haven’t played with before, and [also] play with some more that I haven’t played with for a long time,” he said.
“I’m feeling really good, I’m lucky that the fitness staff put me on a managed program for the whole pre-season, so I’m really confident with the amount of work I’ve been able to do.
“It was all about getting right for the right time of the year and I feel like I’ve got enough time to get the best preparation in for round one.”
Daniher was one of 12 inclusions into the Bombers 29 man squad.
The final 26 will be revealed on match-day.
The Dons could field all five 2016 draftees in the match.
Number one pick Andrew McGrath has again been named after a composed performance last week, while Jordan Ridley, Josh Begley, Kobe Mutch and Dylan Clarke were given a call-up.
“Every year it seems the draftees are coming in more and more ready to play AFL football,” Daniher said.
“They’re not only quality footballers, they’re quality young men who have a real drive to work really hard and that’s something I’ve been really impressed with.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what they can produce on-field throughout the year, not just in these practice games.”
Daniher is set to partner James Stewart in attack against the Suns.
The three-time Essendon leading goal kicker says the side knows it needs to place more scoreboard pressure on the opposition.
“To be a successful team we need to be a team that scores heavily, but also we need to be a team that is quite ruthless in defence,” he said.
“It’s a fine balance and we’re working on both.”
Gold Coast vs. Essendon
Sunday February 26
3:40pm (EST)/ 4:40pm (AEDT)
Harrup Park Country Club (Mackay, QLD)
ESSENDON
1. Andrew McGrath, 3. Darcy Parish, 4. Jobe Watson, 5. Brent Stanton, 6. Joe Daniher, 8. Martin Gleeson, 9. Brendon Goddard, 14. Jordan Ridley, 15. Josh Green, 16. Joshua Begley, 17. James Stewart, 18. Michael Hurley, 19. Kobe Mutch, 20. Jackson Merrett, 22. Matthew Leuenberger, 27. Mason Redman, 28. Mitch Brown, 30. Kyle Langford, 32. Travis Colyer, 33. Jayden Laverde, 34. Jake Long, 36. Michael Hartley, 37. Dylan Clarke, 39. Heath Hocking, 40. Ben Howlett, 43. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, 44. Shaun McKernan, 45. Conor McKenna, 49. Matt Dea
Changes:
IN: Stanton, Daniher, Ridley, Begley, Mutch, Redman, Clarke, Hartley, McKenna
OUT: Heppell, Z.Merrett, Zaharakis, Baguley, Myers, Bird, Ambrose, Kelly, Fantasia
GOLD COAST
1. Pearce Hanley, 2. Jarrad Grant, 4. Jack Martin, 6. Alex Sexton, 7. Jesse Lonergan, 8. Brayden Fiorini, 10. Kade Kolodjashnij, 11. Touk Miller, 13. Callum Ah Chee, 14. Mitch Hallahan, 15. Dan Currie, 16. Rory Thompson, 17. Steven May, 20. Michael Barlow, 21. Jack Leslie, 23. Sean Lemmens, 24. David Swallow, 26. Matthew Shaw, 27. Ben Ainsworth, 30. Peter Wright, 31. Keegan Brooksby, 32. Brandon Matera, 34. Mackenzie Willis, 36. Josh Schoenfeld, 38. Jesse Joyce, 39. Ryan Davis, 41. Will Brodie, 42. Adam Saad, 44. Darcy Macpherson
