Essendon will kick off the Peter Jackson VFL season with a game against Sandringham this Saturday.

Paul Corrigan has named a strong side to face the Zebras, with 16 AFL players picked to play in the match.

Michael Luxford, Jock Cornell, Ozgur Uysal, Daniel Younan and James Peters will put on the Essendon jumper for the first time.

Essendon v Sandringham

Saturday April 15

2.00pm (AEST)

Trevor Barker Oval

2. T Bellchambers
8. M Gleeson
10. A Francis
16. J Begley
17. J Stewart
19. K Mutch
20. J Merrett
24. C Bird
25. A Morgan
36. M Hartley
37. D Clarke
38. S Draper
39. H Hocking
41. B McNiece
44. S McKernan
49. M Dea
50. J Ferry
54. N O’Brien
55. D Younan
56. J Peters
57. N Hind
58. B Dobson
62. M Luxford
65. O Uysal
71. J Cornell
77. N Holmes
79. B Laguda