Essendon's first pick in the 2009 National Draft, Jake Melksham, will play his first ever VFL game for the Bendigo Bombers this weekend.
The 18-year-old will add plenty of class in the midfield - replacing Bachar Houli who has been elevated - when Bendigo take on the Werribee Tigers on Saturday.
A 27 man squad has been named for the Bombers who are in eight place on the VFL ladder.
The match begins at 1pm at Strathfieldsaye Reserve.
The Bendigo Bombers' squad is:
B: Collins Flaherty Myers
HB: Atkinson T.Slattery Shinners
C: Holmes Melksham Prismall
HF: Cloke Delahunty Quinn
F: Skipworth Carlisile Lovett-Murray
R: Bock, Duseher, Crameri
I/C: James, Scanlon, Still, Marigliani, Strodbants, Gray, Page, Liddle
Bendigo Bombers officials say that playing a home game at Strathfieldsaye Reserve against the Tigers is great news for the local region.
Bomber’s general manager, Peter Lodewijks said that the club is delighted to be back in the local area after the poor condition of QEO forced Bendigo to relocate the majority of their home games over the past two years to Windy Hill.
“Being able to play locally means an enormous amount to the Bendigo Bombers Football Club.
""It’s where our supporters and sponsors want to see their team in action and it enables us to focus on building a club and program which continues to make a positive contribution to football in this area,” he said.
