Essendon VFL has finalised its playing list for 2019, welcoming 14 recruits. 

Among the fresh faces include delisted Saint Ray Connellan and former Bomber Kurt Aylett (Werribee), and top state-level talents Liam McKenna (Perth WAFL) and Josh Tynan (Port Melbourne VFL).

Emerging youngsters Daniel Hanna (Calder Cannons), Matthew Day (Oakleigh Chargers), Dylan Landt (Calder Cannons/Sunbury) and Jacob Atley (Bendigo Pioneers) also join after playing in the TAC Cup in recent years, while local Victorian footballers Dale Marshall and Daniel Guccione (Bundoora), Liam Read and Tynan Smith (Greensborough), Jonty Broughton (South Barwon) and Luke Goetz (Altona) round out the arrivals.

VFL operations manager Ash Brown said he was looking forward to seeing what the new additions would bring to the squad in 2019. 

“It is always an exciting time to complete your list for the year – you naturally like to think of the potential within the group and forecast the growth of new signings and players to our club,” Brown said.

“We have a well-balanced list of recruits, with some having senior experience at AFL and state league level, and some young, exciting prospects from the under-18s competition and local community football.”

Close to half of the 26-man squad has been re-signed from last year, headlined by new skipper Aaron Heppell and vice-captains Heath Hocking and Danny Younan. 

“It is a great result for the club and program when so many of our players want to return,” Brown said.

“In the VFL competition, and especially AFL standalone clubs, there is always significant turnover from year to year due to the nature of the competition and our list structure.

“We are really happy that our senior leaders and young emerging talent have re-committed for another season.

“It is important to keep building on the culture we have developed within the program, and to have these players re-commit helps build on this.”

Essendon VFL has already completed two practice matches and will kick off its home-and-away season against Frankston at Skybus Stadium on Sunday, April 7 from 2pm.

2019 Essendon VFL squad:

*bold = new players

Brooke Varney is in the final year of her Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree at RMIT University. As part of their strategic partnership, Essendon Football Club and RMIT University are committed to providing opportunities for students, staff, players and the wider community.