Essendon VFL will provide the platform for the return of key utility James Stewart.

The 78-gamer will play his first game of 2023 following a long recovery from a foot ailment, taking his place at full forward despite being recently used as a key defender at AFL level.

Joining Stewart in the best 23 are young guns Harry Minton-Connell and Essendon NGA product Mahmoud Taha.

The VFL Dons take on the Swans on Sunday afternoon at Windy Hill, with first bounce slated for 1:05pm.

Essendon round 19 VFL team

B M. D'Ambrosio (42) K. Baldwin (26) C. McBride (41)
HB S. Weideman (10) L. Hayes (18) R. Montgomerie (38)
C A. Lord (28) E. Tsatas (5) T. Phillips (55)
HF T. Wanganeen (40) P. Voss (39) A. Davey (33)
F A. McDonald-Tipungwuti (43) J. Stewart (17) A. Munkara (45)
R J. Hotchkin (64) B. Cootee (57) H. Minton-Connell (76)
INT J. Jorgensen (56) J. Fitzgerald (77) C. McCarty (79)
  S. McKay (80) M. Taha (81)  
23rd Player M. Taha (81)
EMG W. Madden (66) M. Kiraly (78)  
INS J. Stewart (17) H. Minton-Connell (76) M. Taha (81)
OUTS J. Sutton (69) M. Kiraly (78) B. Laguda (62)