Essendon Rookie Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will get his chance to stake a claim for round one selection when he lines up in the Dons opening NAB Challenge match this weekend.

McDonald-Tipungwuti has spent the last few seasons in the Essendon VFL program but was snapped up in last year’s Rookie draft.

“He’s lived up to everything that he said he was going to deliver,” Essendon Coach John Worsfold said.

“His fitness is at the required level well and truly now and that means he can play at the level required throughout the course of a whole game.

“If he finds it on the ground, his composure and ability to find a target has been outstanding.”

Joining McDonald-Tipungwuti in the Essendon line-up will be new recruit Sam Michael.

The Queenslander agreed to terms with the Club today and will work in tandem with Shaun McKernan to carry the majority of the ruck load this Sunday.

“He’s very committed and very keen to grab the opportunity,” Worsfold said.

“There was no guarantee for him.  He went home last weekend and we suggested that he didn’t need to come back – we would make our decision based on what we’d seen.

“But he was adamant he was coming back to still be in front of us to show what he could do.

“He’s been outstanding and we see a lot of development upside for him.” 

Michael’s signature completes the Bombers list for the 2016 season.