This was published 9 years ago
Essendon's 13 'top-up' players: All the key numbers
By Tom Cowie
All 13 top-up players signed to bolster Essendon's ravaged playing list have been named to play in its pre-season game against St Kilda on Saturday.
The string of ex-AFL and state league players include former St Kilda tagger Clint Jones, ex-Adelaide small forward Jared Petrenko and one-time Melbourne hard nut James Magner.
The Bombers will be hoping Aaron Heppel can bring some of the same class as brother Dyson.Credit: Getty Images
The crowd will have to rely on their football records to tell the players apart, with the replacements set to wear numbers in the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s on their jumpers.
Here's a little more information Essendon's top-up players, including their new jumper numbers.
No. 47 Marcus Marigliani
Age: 29
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 85 kg
Club: Essendon (VFL)
Played two games for Essendon in 2010 after being selected in the rookie draft. Proven ball magnet with Frankston, Sandringham and Port Melbourne. Dual VFL Team of the Year midfielder.
No. 50 James Polkinghorne
Age: 29
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 85 kg
Club: Essendon (VFL), Brisbane
Livewire half-forward delisted by Brisbane last year after 94 games. Signed by Essendon's VFL side to add experience, as well as impact around stoppages and in front of goal.
No. 51 Aaron Heppell
Age: 20
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Club: Essendon (VFL)
Brother of Dyson, the Bombers will be hoping he shares more than a haircut and can bring some of the same class. Played nine games as a midfielder for the VFL side last year.
No. 54 Josh Freezer
Age: 25
Height: 192 cm
Weight: 91 kg
Club: Essendon (VFL)
Tall defender who will be sorely needed with the Bombers looking very light down back with the loss of its 2012 players.
No. 55 Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Age: 21
Height: 171 cm
Weight: 77 kg
Club: Essendon (VFL)
Human highlight reel originally from the Tiwi Islands. A small forward with silky skills, he has provided some dazzling moments in the VFL including the ABC TV goal of the year in 2014.
No. 56 Jordan Schroder
Age: 24
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 85 kg
Club: Essendon (VFL), Geelong
Former Cat midfielder who only managed five games before being delisted last year. Proven to be more than capable at VFL level, winning the league best and fairest in 2013.
No. 58 Sam Tagliabue
Age: 24
Height: 204 cm
Weight: 97 kg
Club: Essendon (VFL)
Agile tall signed to Essendon's VFL side after playing in the Sydney competition. Attracted AFL interest after a strong year in the ruck, including three games with more than 50 hitouts.
No. 72 Clint Jones
Age: 31
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 83 kg
Club: Sandringham (VFL), St Kilda
Played 149 games with the Saints, making his name as a tagger under coach Ross Lyons before being delisted last year. Brings a hard edge to the Bombers midfield.
No. 73 Mitch Brown
Age: 24
Height: 196 cm
Weight: 93 kg
Club: Sandringham (VFL)
Former Geelong key forward/back delisted by the Cats at the end of 2014. Played just 15 games since being drafted in 2008, but did feature in the semi-final against North Melbourne last year.
No. 74 Mitch Clisby
Age: 25
Height: 189 cm
Weight: 76 kg
Club: North Adelaide (SANFL), Melbourne
Featured in eight games for Melbourne in 2013 after being picked up in the rookie draft. Essendon rates him as an outside midfielder and forward who can use the ball well in space.
No. 75 Jared Petrenko
Age: 25
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 82 kg
Club: Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL), Adelaide
Kicked 50 goals for Adelaide in six seasons as a small forward but only played five games last year after struggling to break back into the side and was then delisted.
No. 76 James Magner
Age: 27
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 89 kg
Club: Port Melbourne (VFL), Melbourne
Tough inside midfielder who struggled for opportunity in his last season at Melbourne, playing just two games. Will be relied on to win ball around the stoppages.
No. 77 Sam Michael
Age: 21
Height: 199 cm
Weight: 98 kg
Club: Redland (NEAFL), Brisbane
Key position player capable of playing at either end of the ground or in the ruck. Was delisted by Brisbane after just three games.