The Bombers have finalised their team for tomorrow's clash with Richmond in Morwell with David Myers and Sam Lonergan trimmed from the squad after feeling some general soreness.
 
First year players Jake Melksham, Kyle Hardingham and Ben Howlett will play alongside seasoned stars including Jobe Watson, David Hille, Paddy Ryder and Dustin Fletcher.
 
Forwards Scott Gumbleton, Jay Neagle and Mark Williams will play together in an Essendon side for the first time and defender Henry Slattery said everyone is keen to see how they meld.
 
""It will be interesting to see how it goes and how it works - it will be a good test,"" Slattery said.
 
""At the moment we have a number of forward options, especially tall options, available for games. In the past few years we have only really had one or two and I think we have a good spread of goal-kicking power now which is a real plus.""  
 
 
Slattery, 24, said tomorrow's game - the club's final pre-season game -  is being viewed by the players as a home and away fixture. 
 
""The players and coaches are taking this Morwell game very seriously because it will help get us ready for Round 1 against Geelong,"" he said.
 
""It's the last opportunity to work on what we have planned and focused on during the pre-season which is important because you want to be able to go into Round 1 knowing that things are working well.""
 
The South Australian wants to be more attacking and get more of the ball in 2010 and said he is ready for a big year.
 
""I feel great - I had last week off and my hip is feeling good and I feel fresh,"" he said.
 
""Last year I hurt my ankle late in the pre-season and I felt a little rusty but I feel fitter this year. I feel game fit and ready to go.""
 
  
Essendon 26-man squad:
 
1. Jay NEAGLE
2. Ricky DYSON
3. Scott GUMBLETON
4. Jobe WATSON (C)
5. Brent STANTON
6. Angus MONFRIES
8. Jason WINDERLICH
9. Brent PRISMALL
11. David ZAHARAKIS
12. Andrew WELSH (VC)
15. Courtenay DEMPSEY
16. Tayte PEARS
17. Jake MELKSHAM
19. David HILLE
20. Henry SLATTERY
26. Cale HOOKER
27. Jason LAYCOCK
29. Alwyn DAVEY
30. Patrick RYDER
31. Dustin FLETCHER
33. Mark WILLIAMS
34. Kyle HARDINGHAM
37. Kyle REIMERS
39. Heath HOCKING
40. Ben HOWLETT
43. Bachar HOULI
 
Mark McVeigh, Nathan Lovett-Murray (AFL suspension) and Michael Hurley (club suspension) are not available to play in Round 1 of the season against Geelong so were not considered for selection. 
 
Richmond 26-man squad:
 
2. Will THURSFIELD
3. Brett DELEDIO
5. Troy SIMMONDS
6. Graham POLAK
8. Jack RIEWOLDT
9. Trent COTCHIN
10. Shane EDWARDS
15. Mitch FARMER
16. Luke McGUANE
17. Chris NEWMAN
19. Daniel CONNORS
20. Mitch MORTON
23. Daniel JACKSON
26. Robin NAHAS
27. Tom HISLOP
29. Tyrone VICKERY
30. Richard TAMBLING
31. Adam THOMSON
32. Ben COUSINS
33. David GOURDIS
34. Andrew BROWNE
36. Dustin MARTIN
40. Kel MOORE
44. Troy TAYLOR
47. Ben NASON
50. Relton ROBERTS
 
Match details - Essendon v Richmond 

When: Saturday 13 March, 3.30pm
Where: Morwell Recreation Reserve (Travers St, Morwell)