The Bombers sought permission from the AFL to play a number of big names in their final game before their round-one clash with Adelaide at AAMI Stadium next week.
Other senior Bombers set to take on Bendigo Gold in the VFL practice game at Windy Hill include Alwyn Davey, Ben Howlett, Scott Gumbleton, Kyle Hardingham, David Hille, Jake Melksham and Tayte Pears.
It will be Zaharakis' first game of the pre-season after the midfielder strained his quad at the end of January, but the club is confident he will be fit and ready for the Crows' clash.
Essendon: Jason Ashby, Alex Browne, Travis Colyer, Lauchlan Dalgleish, Joe Daniher, Alwyn Davey, Luke Davis, Cory Dell'Olio, Martin Gleeson, Sean Gregory, Scott Gumbleton, Will Hams, Kyle Hardingham, David Hille, Ben Howlett, Hal Hunter, Jake Melksham, Nick O’Brien, Tayte Pears, Ariel Steinberg, David Zaharakis.
Please Note: Essendon's VFL game against Bendigo has been relocated to the High Performance Centre at Melbourne Airport. The club wishes to advise that unfortunately supporters will not be able to enter the grounds due to the construction zone.
