Essendon has 13 players on its final top-up list for season 2001. And with a senior list of just 38 players, it is likely they will see plenty of football for the Bombers this season. Heading the list is former Bomber star Sean Denham who retired from senior football at the end of the 2000 season. Sean was talked into returning to Windy Hill to play in the VFL side and help with the development of the club's junior on-ballers.

The other 12 top up players for Essendon's VFL side are:

SIMON CLARKE 188cm 83kg 10/08/82Played U18 football with the Calder Cannons. Versatile footballer who can play anywhere. Found his place across half back through the practice match series.

BEN CRANAGE 180cm 79kg 21/05/77Second year as a top up player for our VFL side. Plays with Old Xavier in the VAFA. Gutsy football who fits in well across both half back and half forward. Brother Sam is on Carlton's Rookie List

JEREMY DUKES 191cm 83kg 24/04/82Drafted to Carlton as a 17 year old in 2000. Delisted at the end of his first year. Been given a second chance at Essendon as a top up in 2001. Still only 18 and is a development prospect. Can play up forward and down back.

BEN GODDARD 186cm 79kg 11/10/81Coming into his second year as a top up for our VFL side. Plays with Scoresby in the EFL. A quick type with good skills. Plays across half back and is also effective off a wing.

SCOTT GOLDSWORTHY 186cm 79kg 8/06/81Also in his second year with the club as a top up. Plays with Ben Goddard at Scoresby and won their best and fairest despite just playing 12 games last season. Honest player who goes in hard. Quick and fits in well across half back and at a pinch on the ball.

MATTHEW GREEN 190cm 86kg 8/10/82Matthew played his junior football with two of the Essendon Football Club draftees Ted Richards and James Davies at Xavier College. Tall leading forward with a strong set of hands.

KEN HALL 180cm 83kg 13/11/80Ken originally from Tasmania decided against returning to his home state earlier this year to play with the new Tasmanian VFL side in 2001. Instead he chose to continue his development and stay on at the Essendon Football Club as a top up player. A classy half back flanker who kicks the ball long.

JOSH MAHONEY 178cm 80kg 31/10/77Josh has played football at Collingwood, Williamstown and most recently the Western Bulldogs. He was delisted by the Bulldogs at the end of 2000 and chose to do a pre-season with Essendon. Unlucky not to be picked up in the pre-season draft he chose to stay on at Essendon as a top for the 2001 season. He is a classy midfielder who can go forward and kick goals.

CHRIS MURPHY 179cm 85kg 10/08/82Chris played his junior football at Coldstream and the Eastern Ranges. Played in the U18 Victorian Metro side in 2000.He is a smart forward who can also play on the ball.

SHANE SHEPPHERD 189cm 90kg 17/04/80Shane is in his third year as a top up player for the club, playing in the reserves premiership side in 1999. A strong backman who likes to run. Played his junior football with the Calder Cannons.

DAMIEN YZE 185cm 85kg 16/11/74Damien is a classy forward who has a strong goal sense. Played in Northcote Park's premierships side last year kicking 10 goals for a total of 99 for the season. Brother Adam plays for Melbourne.

JAMES PODSIADLY 193cm 84kg 10/09/81After spending last year on the clubs Rookie List James took the opportunity to continue at the club in 2001 as a VFL top up player. Has showed some good form in the practice games playing up the ground. An athletic type who is an accurate kick for goal.