Essendon speedster Saad El-Hawli will make his AFL debut on Thursday at Marvel Stadium when the club takes on Port Adelaide.
Taken with pick No.13 in the 2024 Mid-Season Draft after successful stints at local and state levels, the 23-year-old has now earned his spot in the big time after a string of terrific VFL performances last year and a strong pre-season.
El-Hawli spent time at Werribee Tigers in 2022 before heading to the Northern Bullants for the following seasons, quickly making a name for himself as a line-breaking defender and midfielder.
He featured in the Bombers' opening VFL clash against Williamstown, and did enough to prove to coach Brad Scott he's ready for the rigours of top-flight football.
El-Hawli was told the news of his debut on Wednesday morning, marking a major milestone almost exactly 10 months on from first finding out he'd become a Bomber.
He burst onto the scene with an impressive four-goal outing against Carlton's reserves side, but was ultimately struck down by an untimely syndesmosis injury.
El-Hawli will join fellow defender Jordan Ridley in the senior side as young duo Elijah Tsatas (hand) and Archie Perkins (quad) will miss through injury.
Experienced pair Darcy Parish and Jayden Laverde are on track to get their first match minutes of 2025 via the VFL when the Bombers take on Werribee at the NEC Hangar on Saturday, having progressed through respective pre-season back and hip complaints in recent weeks.
