The Essendon side to take centre stage against Collingwood in Sunday’s second elimination final has been selected.
The Bombers will be bolstered by the addition of a trio of AFL players, with defenders Aaron Francis and Ben McNiece and key forward Jayden Laverde named on the field.
Francis played 11 matches in the VFL before returning to the top level for five games, where the attacking defender showed his importance to the Essendon line-up.
McNiece returns to VFL, where he played six of his 14 games this season, while Laverde’s presence as a powerful forward target who brings others into the game will be a bonus for Dan Jordan’s side.
Nino Lazzaro has been named as the 23rd player.
The Bombers and Magpies have met twice in 2018, most recently in round 16 at Windy Hill, with Collingwood taking the points in both matches.
Essendon will face Collingwood on Sunday from 2.10pm at Stannards Stadium. The match will be televised live on Channel Seven from 2pm and broadcast on SEN 1116 from 1pm.
TEAM
B – Hind, Hartley, Zerk-Thatcher
HB – Ridley, Francis, McNiece
C – J. Merrett, Mutch, Hocking
HF – Long, Laverde, Green
F – Younan, Stewart, Mynott
R – Draper, Clarke, A. Heppell
I/C – Berry, Huntly, Collins, Harrison, Sibbald, McQueen, Sheahan, Dixon
23P – Lazzaro
