Essendon VFL has named its first side of the 2026 season for Friday night's clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
12 AFL-listed players have been named in the lineup, with returning utilities such as Harry Jones and Nik Cox providing healthy experience in addition to draftees Jacob Farrow and Sullivan Robey.
New signings Will Bella, Kristian Ferronato, Jaxon Binns and 23rd man Ty Kitchell will all make their VFL debuts for the Club.
The opening round matchup with the Cats gets underway at 7:05pm AEDT - streaming is available via the AFL app and website. Tickets for tonight's game can be purchased at the gates.
Essendon VFL team v Geelong
| B | T. Sellers (75) | K. Gerreyn (19) | D. Akuei (64) |
| HB | X. O'Neill (55) | J. Farrow (2) | S. El-Hawli (41) |
| C | J. Binns (74) | J. Hately (50) | N.Cox (13) |
| HF | A. Day-Wicks (44) | R. Unwin (38) | H. Jones (23) |
| F | W. Bella (77) | L. McMahon (48) | M. Guelfi (35) |
| R | V. Visentini (17) | E. Tsatas (5) | S. Robey (9) |
| INT | S. McKay (51) | T. Kitchell (67) | K. Ferronato (80) |
| N. Scott (57) | C. Nyko (65) | ||
| 23rd Player | T. Kitchell (67) | ||
| EMG | J. Eckersley (58) | C. Naish (81) | K. Gallagher (69) |
