Essendon will face a tough battle when they look to get back on the winners list against Port Melbourne at Windy Hill on Saturday afternoon.

The Bombers are coming off a week’s break following their Round 5 loss to Coburg and will be bolstered by the addition of a number of experienced AFL players in Courtenay Dempsey, Tayte Pears and Leroy Jetta.

Essendon VFL Football Operaitons Manager Matt Little said the Bombers were prepared for a tough task against Port Melbourne on home soil.

“They will be a really good challenge for our group, especially at Windy Hill as it is a very similar size to Port Melbourne,” Little said.

“Port have been a very successful side over the last four or five years and they are a very mature side in terms of their body size and experience.”

“They are very much an inside midfield team who work well both ways and they have a terrific coach in Gary Ayres.”

Only five VFL listed Bombers will line up in the match with a small injury list amongst the club’s AFL listed players.

Fabian Brancatisano has been named the 23rd man for the Bombers this weekend in his third match playing the role.

“The VFL is pretty unique in its system in that you can have three games as 23rd player and this will be his third,” Little said.

“He is extremely light framed but he is quick, fit, uses the ball well and he has kicked some goals for us in the last couple of week.

“When you are picking this person you are hoping that they can make an impact and I think that he has done that.”

Essendon members can enter the match for free with all other patrons wishing to attend able to enter for $5.