Sam Michael Biography

Ex-lion Sam Michael will play his first AFL game for Essendon on Sunday, but has already been given a big endorsement by one of the Bombers' harshest judges, captain Brendon Goddard.

"Everyone at the club that knows Sammy (knows) the way he goes about his footy and how obsessed he is," Goddard said.

"There's being elite and there's Sam Michael. Everyone's really happy for him."

Emerging Bombers Zach Merrett and Joe Daniher have been named in the club's rejigged leadership group, which will feature rotating top-up players throughout the season.

Essendon was forced to change its leadership group when five members – captain Jobe Watson, vice-captain Dyson Heppell, David Myers, Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley – were suspended for the season for anti-doping breaches.

The remaining two members of the group that was announced in December, Brendon Goddard and Mark Baguley, have taken on the respective captain and vice-captaincy duties this year.

The bans left several vacancies, with Merrett, Daniher and James Gwilt added to leadership positions, and David Zaharakis reinstalled into the leadership group after being cut at the end of last season.

"Obviously development of our youngsters is a bit of a priority this year so it makes sense that we've got a couple of younger players who are held in pretty high regard by the group and they're emerging leaders," Essendon football manager Rob Kerr.

"Given the circumstances and given the exposure to the full leadership repertoire and what's involved in the senior leadership group level will no doubt hold them in good stead and fast-track their progress."

Former Lion Sam Michael is signed as Essendon's 10th and final top up player for 2016.

Michael has been training at Tullamarine in recent weeks and a fiercely competitive effort in the club's intraclub match earnt him a second chance at AFL level.

"Sam’s attitude throughout this process has been excellent and we’re excited by what he can bring to the club this season," Bombers list and recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro said.

"Sam is well known to us now through his participation in training in recent weeks and also last year’s pre-season.

"He gets another opportunity at AFL level now and we’re confident he is a good fit to round out our playing list."

Former Brisbane Lions tall Sam Michael is training with Essendon as the Bombers look to fill their two remaining top-up vacancies.

Former Brisbane Lions ruckman Sam Michael is set to become the latest player join Essendon as a top-up player for the NAB Challenge.

"I've still got aspirations of playing at the highest level so it's the perfect opportunity for me and [I'm] grateful that Essendon came to me and offered it," Michael said.

Fremantle delists rookies Sam Menegola and Michael Wood.

"It's never easy making these decisions, but unfortunately they have to be made," Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond said.

"On behalf of the Fremantle Football Club, I thank both Sam and Michael for their contributions during their time here.

"They are both fine young men and we wish them all the best for the future."

Andrew Raines, James Polkinghorne, Jordan Lisle and Patrick Wearden have all been delisted, along with rookies Nick Hayes, Sam Michael and Isaac Conway are cut from Brisbane's list ahead of the upcoming AFL trade and free agency period.

Sam Michael makes his AFL debut for Brisbane at the Gabba with 4 disposals (4 handballs), a mark and a tackle in a 13-point loss to Carlton.