HIRD NAMED IN BOMBERS LINE-UP FOR HAWTHORN CLASH

James Hird will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness for the Bombers clash with Hawthorn this Saturday night. Hird left the track early when Essendon trained at Colonial Stadium last night but is still expected to play on the weekend. The Essendon skipper will have a fitness test at Windy Hill tomorrow night and is expected to confirm his availability. As expected Blake Caracella couldn't be considered because of injury. Rob Forster-Knight returns to the senior side while Jonathon Robran gets his first chance at senior level this season.