The Essendon footballers will have their eyes on a cup of different sorts when they play the opening round of the St John Cup next Wednesday.

The St John Cup is a knockout cricket competition that has been organised to raise money for St John Ambulance.

The Bombers opening match is at Fawkner Park commencing at 3pm and team captain Joe Misiti is confident his players will give a good account of themselves.

"We have some good quality quick bowlers and I hope they will be able to do a bit of damage early," Misiti said.

"Paul Barnard can generate quite a bit of pace - or so he keeps telling everyone - so he could be the key to the match."

The Essendon team (including players and staff) for the match is: Matthew Drain (football manager), Robert Shaw (assistant coach), Dean Bailey (development coach), Joe Misiti, Judd Lalich, Dean Solomon, Adam Ramanauskas, Paul Barnard, Jason Johnson, Simon Matthews (communications manager), Chris Caldwell (sponsorship manager) and Stewart Clarke (curator).

"If the quicks fail we have some options with spin bowling although I'm not sure how effective they will be. Dean Solomon bowls a few leggies - he'll either get wickets or get smashed so I'm sure the crowd will be entertained either way," Misiti said.

"And then we have the experienced campaigners Robert Shaw and Dean Bailey. They know what the game's all about and will apply plenty of verbal pressure."

Each side will bat for 20 overs under the rules of the competitionand there will be three knockout rounds played.

The Grand Final will be held at the MCG on December 6th. A gold coin donation will be requested from all spectators attending the match with proceeds of the collection going to support First Aid volunteers of St John Ambulance.