The sixth placed VFL Cats take on a fifth placed Bombers outfit this Saturday at Windy Hill.

A total of 13 AFL listed Cats have been named in the squad of 27,

Cory Gregson (illness last week), Nathan Vardy (AFL omission), Jed Bews (AFL omission) and Jake Kolodjashnij (AFL omission) all return to the side this weekend.

First year Cats James Parsons and Matthew Hayball and VFL listed Brant Haintz will all be managed this week.

The VFL Cats have won two of their three outings with a healthy percentage of 145.67.

The Bombers have started off their season with two comprehensive wins over North Ballarat and Collingwood whilst suffering defeats to Werribee and the Casey Scorpions. 

Interestingly, a number of former Cats faces are now part of Essendon’s VFL program including Matthew Egan (VFL coach), Mark and Paul Corrigan (assistant/development coaches) and Jordan Schroder (player). 

Head to Head the two sides have played seven times, the Cats have come away victors on four occasions.

Bendigo Bank Cats selected side:

B: (51) Tsitas, (67) Stewart, (24) Bews

HB: (52) Hickey, (20) Gardner, (8) Kolodjashnij

C:  (2) Smedts, (33) Horlin-Smith, (64) Atkins

HF: (17) Cornell, (30) Vardy, (21) Murdoch

F: (43) Bates, (12) Buzza, (28) Gregson

R: (42) Lucey, (37) Luxford, (18) Cowan

I/C: (54) Tudor, (60) Robinson, (65) McLachlan, (63) Dobson, (53) Farrelly, (62) Leersen, (56) Paliouras, (70) Rees, (69) Sexton – 23^rd player

VFL – ROUND 5

Essendon v Bendigo Bank Cats

12.00pm, Saturday 7^th May

Windy Hill, Cnr Napier St & Brewster St

Essendon

Entry: Cats Members $5, Adults $10, Concession $5, Children Under 15 Free

The match will be live streamed on the VFL website from 12pm on Saturday - http://bit.ly/1VrSDhL 

Supporters can also follow @GeelongVFL on Twitter for live updates.