Essendon top-up players Ryan Crowley, Jonathan Simpkin, Sam Grimley to face Carlton in NAB Challenge

ESSENDON will showcase a new-look team featuring four top-up players and at least three new draftees against Carlton on Sunday.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 19: Ryan Crowley of the Bombers runs with the ball during the Essendon Bombers AFL Intra-Club match at True Value Solar Centre on February 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

A QUARTET of Essendon’s latest additions will feature in Sunday’s NAB Challenge clash with Carlton, coach John Worsfold has revealed.

Former Docker Ryan Crowley, ex-Tiger Matt Dea and former Hawks Sam Grimley and Jonathon Simpkin – all of whom were signed by Essendon following the banning of 12 senior players – have done enough to earn a berth in the team’s first official pre-season outing.

Worsfold said it was difficult to determine who was more nervous about the clash – the team’s young players or the four who have been given a second chance at AFL level.

“There wouldn’t be much in it, I don’t think,” Worsfold said.

“They’re all pretty excited.”

Draftees Darcy Parish, Mitch Brown and Michael Hartley are all set to be named when the squads are announced tomorrow.

Worsfold admitted a win would be a handy boost to kick off the pre-season competition, but said he will be making a concerted effort to ensure that the team’s morale doesn’t hang on the win-loss count.

“Our morale will be achieved in a lot of other areas – the way we play out games, the way we commit to one another and what we’re asking from each other,” he said.

“(But) a win would certainly be the best way to boost morale.”

Originally published as Essendon top-up players Ryan Crowley, Jonathan Simpkin, Sam Grimley to face Carlton in NAB Challenge