Four baby Bombers will debut in Saturday night's Challenge clash with Sydney in Blacktown with one name in particular sure to attract plenty of interest.
 
Anthony Long, nephew of the great Michael Long, will play his first game in red and black after being taken with pick No.33 in the last draft. 
 
 
General manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said Long and 196cm Jake Carlisle (pick No. 24 in the last draft) earned selection in the 28-man squad after a good showing in last week's VFL practice match against a Richmond second-18.
 
""Saturday night's game presents a really good opportunity for some of our younger players,"" Hamilton said.
 
""We are resting a number of guys that have played the last two games but, at the same time, we want to get a good look at some players who deserve an opportunity to put their case forward to be selected for Round 1 of the season.
 
""Long and Carlisle both played quite well in the VFL game which gave them the opportunity to be selected.
 
""Longy showed glimpses of the talent he has got and Carlisle took some strong marks and kicked four goals so he will get a chance up forward.""
 
 
Hamilton said rookie listed players Taite Silverlock and Marcus Marigliani would also play their first official game for the club.
 
""Those two players are rookies so this will be a good chance to have a look at them early in the year,"" he said.
 
Three players from the 28-man squad will be named as emergencies.
 
The Bombers play Sydney at 7pm on Saturday 6th Match in Blacktown (match details below)
 
ESSENDON FC 28-MAN SQUAD
 
1. Jay NEAGLE
2. Ricky DYSON
3. Scott GUMBLETON
9. Brent PRISMALL
10. Mark McVEIGH
11. David ZAHARAKIS
13. Anthony LONG
15. Courtenay DEMPSEY
17. Jake MELKSHAM
22. Jake CARLISLE
23. David MYERS
24. John WILLIAMS
25. Michael STILL
27. Jason LAYCOCK
28. Darcy DANIHER
29. Alwyn DAVEY
34. Kyle HARDINGHAM
35. Taite SILVERLOCK
36. Tyson SLATTERY
37. Kyle REIMERS
38. Jarrod ATKINSON
40. Ben HOWLETT
41. Michael QUINN
42. Nathan LOVETT-MURRAY
43. Bachar HOULI
44. Thomas BELLCHAMBERS
46. Christian BOCK
47. Marcus MARIGLIANI
 
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SYDNEY SWANS SQUAD

11. Ed Barlow

42. Paul Bevan

6. Craig Bolton

24. Jude Bolton

10. Daniel Currie

46. Taylor Gilchrist

37. Adam Goodes

39. Heath Grundy

4. Dan Hanneberry

15. Kieren Jack

32. Lewis Jetta

12. Josh Kennedy

17. Tadhg Kennelly

31. Brett Kirk

9. Nick Malceski

29. Martin Mattner

21. Ben McGlynn

3. Jarrad McVeigh

33. Jarred Moore

41. Shane Mumford

5. Ryan O’Keefe

38. Michael Pyke

25. Ted Richards

30. Lewis Roberts-Thomson

16. Gary Rohan

1. Mark Seaby

2. Rhyce Shaw

40. Nick Smith

18. Jesse White

Event Details:
Venue: Blacktown Olympic Park, Eastern Road, Rooty Hill
Date: Saturday 6 March 2010
Gates Open: 5.00PM
Game Time: 7.00PM
Ticketing Details
 Rooty Hill RSL
  1. Telephone (02) 9677 4916
  2. http://www.rootyhillrsl.com.au/
  3. 55 Sherbrooke St, Rooty Hill.

Castle Hill ticketing details

1. Telephone - (02) 88584838

2. In-person - 77 Castle Street, Castle Hill

AFL members or AFL Club members are free when 2010 membership pass at the gate.

 
Essential Parking information
 
Please be aware, city rail will be undertaking track work from Saturday 6 March 2.00am to Monday 8 March 2.00am

· Buses replace trains between St Mary’s and Granville

· Replacement buses do not operate to the train timetable.

· Trains between Penrith and St Mary’s and also between Granville and the City will operate to an amended timetable.

· Please allow an additional journey time of up to 40 minutes.

· Bus Route 4 will make an additional stop at Eastern Rd opposite and adjacent to the Blacktown Olympic Park between 4pm and 10.30pm. Please notify the driver if you wish to alight at Blacktown Olympic Park

· Please also refer to http://www.cityrail.info/