Essendon has locked in its VFL list on the eve of its 2022 campaign.
Led by new coach Brent Stanton and captain Joe Atley, the VFL Bombers have bolstered their playing stocks with some new arrivals and key re-signings.
Former Essendon AFL players Shaun McKernan (53 games) and Ben Jolley (four) will don the sash again, with the latter in a player-coach role, while versatile midfielder Will Golds will bring AFL experience despite not making his League debut during his time at Hawthorn.
The Bombers have bolstered their defence with the acquisitions of third tall Max Simpson and attacking defender Joel Fitzgerald, while key-position player Lockie Rayner, the brother of Brisbane star Cam Rayner, has been signed.
Developing midfielder-forwards Sam Conforti and Billy Cootee have been retained after their impressive 2021 campaigns, while Essendon train-on player Ronald Fejo Jr will remain at the club after being overlooked for one of the Bombers' final AFL list spots.
Atley, who co-captained the VFL Bombers in his first season at the club last year, will take the reins as solo skipper following Danny Younan's retirement, with Conforti, Cootee, James Harrold and James Iacobaccio supporting him in the leadership group.
The Bombers will kick off their 2022 VFL season against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium from 2:05pm on Saturday, with the match streamed live via AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. Follow live stats via our match centre.
2022 VFL PRIMARY LIST
| Guernsey number | Player | DOB | Height |
| 50 | Josiah Garisto | 9/12/1996 | 198 |
| 51 | Anthony Larkey | 11/9/1999 | 189 |
| 52 | Kyle Weightman | 5/1/1999 | 172 |
| 53 | Sam Conforti | 15/3/2002 | 173 |
| 54 | Declan Tully | 20/2/2001 | 192 |
| 55 | Austin Harris | 30/4/2003 | 177 |
| 56 | Will Golds | 6/5/2000 | 181 |
| 57 | Billy Cootee | 18/12/2002 | 178 |
| 59 | Patrick Bannister | 12/10/2002 | 182 |
| 60 | Joe Atley | 4/8/1998 | 188 |
| 61 | Jacob Brown | 19/8/1998 | 184 |
| 62 | Maclayn Hallows | 11/9/2002 | 183 |
| 63 | Dylan Landt | 18/11/1999 | 183 |
| 65 | Shaun McKernan | 1/9/1990 | 198 |
| 66 | Ben Archard | 20/11/1994 | 197 |
| 67 | Ronald Fejo Jr | 16/12/2001 | 184 |
| 68 | Josh Iacobaccio | 15/8/1996 | 177 |
| 69 | James Harrold | 6/2/1997 | 186 |
| 70 | Cooper Anderson | 20/7/2001 | 189 |
| 71 | Lachy Godden | 3/9/2002 | 184 |
| 72 | Lockie Rayner | 3/10/1997 | 197 |
| 73 | Tom Baker | 19/9/1998 | 198 |
| 74 | Will Hoare | 5/9/2000 | 198 |
| 75 | Max Simpson | 19/1/2001 | 192 |
| 76 | Jake Sutton | 12/9/2001 | 189 |
| 77 | Joel Fitzgerald | 8/8/2003 | 189 |
| 78 | James Peters | 4/6/1997 | 180 |
| 79 | Cam McLeod | 28/5/2002 | 193 |
