Essendon have confirmed Supplemental Selection Period trialists Tom Phillips, Jack Cleaver and Brad Lynch have linked up with the club's VFL program for 2023.
The Bombers had several AFL hopefuls train under Brad Scott across the course of their pre-season program to potentially fill the side's last remaining list spot for the year ahead, with Essendon eventually deciding to keep the vacancy open heading into their home and away campaign.
Overlooked draft prospects and Victorian duo Hudson O'Keefe and Mitch Szybkowski were also among those to train at Tullamarine this summer, with the former joining Carlton's list in the final week of the SSP.
Phillips, Cleaver and Lynch also trained with Scott's side but were unable to cement a list spot, however will remain at The Hangar for the season ahead as part of the club's VFL squad.
Both Phillips and Lynch will add AFL experience to Leigh Tudor's list for 2023, while Cleaver will also bring with him senior experience after an impressive year with East Fremantle in the WAFL.
Phillips played 115 games in seven seasons between stints with Collingwood and Hawthorn, managing 26 appearances across two years with the latter before being delisted at the end of the 2022 season.
Lynch played nine games in three seasons with the Western Bulldogs, however all nine AFL matches came in his debut season with the club in 2018, with the defender cut from Luke Beveridge's list in 2020.
The 25-year-old has since played in Queensland with VFL outfit Southport and most recently QAFL club Broadbeach.
Cleaver, a medium-sized defender, 14.3 disposals and 5.4 marks for East Fremantle across seven matches for the Sharks' senior side last year, with the Western Australian backman featuring in all three grades in the WA league last year alone.
The trio of new additions for Tudor's side will be joined by 200cm Murray Bushrangers product Toby Murray, who can play as a tall forward and ruckman.
The Bombers have been linked to former Geelong midfielder Quinton Narkle in recent weeks, with the ex-Cat also gaining interest from Richmond's VFL side and WAFL club Perth.
Essendon will begin their home and away campaign against GWS at home on Sunday, March 26.