Kyle Hardingham will make his AFL debut for the Bombers in Saturday night’s clash against the Kangaroos at Etihad.
He joins Bachar Houli and Leroy Jetta as the 'ins' while Jake Melksham and Nathan Lovett-Murray have been omitted and Tom Bellchambers has a sore foot and will miss.
Hardingham came to Essendon in last year’s pre-season draft and has been performing consistently at VFL level, kicking two goals for Bendigo last week.
Football operations manager, Paul Hamilton said the 21-year-old Western Australian has worked hard for an opportunity in the senior Essendon squad.
“It’s exciting for Kyle to be playing his first game,"" he said.
""He is a mature age recruit who has waited years for this opportunity and I’m sure he will grab it with both hands.
“He’s played some very exciting footy this year for Bendigo and anyone who has seen him play is well aware of his marking prowess.
“He’s been overlooked in a number of drafts and had a great year at East Fremantle in 2009, winning their best and fairest.""
