In great news for Bomber fans the club's tall timber is back and ready for action with David Hille, Paddy Ryder and Jason Laycock named in the 26-man squad for Saturday's clash with Melbourne.
General manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said the final squad would be trimmed to 23 players (and at least two emergencies) but all three ruckman were likely to play.
""We lacked big men in our recent pre-season clash with West Coast and to have these three ruckman all fit and ready to play is a great sign a month out from the season proper,"" he said.
""As Matthew Knights has flagged, we expect all three to spend time forward in 2010 so it's important to get them out on the park and working with Mark Williams and the rest of our new-look forward line.""
Scott Gumbleton has been named in the squad however the club will make a decision closer to the game as to whether he plays.
Other key Bombers named for their first official pre-season game are Brent Stanton, David Myers and Courtenay Dempsey.
""Stanton, Myers and Dempsey are set for a big year - we expect them to have a very competitive hit-out on Saturday,"" Hamilton said.
""These three players missed our first pre-season game for various reasons but they are all ready to play and the run will be great for them.""
Hamilton said that Essendon players not selected for the Melbourne game would play in a practice match against a Richmond second-18 at 2pm, Friday 26th February at Highgate Reserve, Craigieburn (cnr Grand Blvd and Cleveland Drive - Mel 386 J3). Please Note: Fans are welcome to attend but there will be no public facilties at the oval (including no shade, seating or toilets).
Essendon's 26-man squad for the 1pm, Saturday 27th February clash at Visy Park is:
2. Ricky DYSON
3. Scott GUMBLETON
4. Jobe WATSON (C)
5. Brent STANTON
6. Angus MONFRIES
8. Jason WINDERLICH
9. Brent PRISMALL
10. Mark McVEIGH
12. Andrew WELSH (VC)
14. Sam LONERGAN
15. Courtenay DEMPSEY
16. Tayte PEARS
17. Jake MELKSHAM
19. David HILLE
20. Henry SLATTERY
23. David MYERS
25. Michael STILL
26. Cale HOOKER
27. Jason LAYCOCK
29. Alwyn DAVEY
30. Patrick RYDER
31. Dustin FLETCHER
33. Mark WILLIAMS
37. Kyle REIMERS
39. Heath HOCKING
40. Ben HOWLETT
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