ESSENDON will consider blooding forward Josh Begley for a debut against St Kilda on Friday night as the Bombers sharpen their tilt for a return to the finals.

Begley has been on the cusp of senior selection for several weeks, including being an emergency, without able to break through for his first AFL game.

Coach John Worsfold said the 19-year-old, who is nicknamed 'Fridge' for his solid build, would again be close to selection for the Etihad Stadium clash between the two top-eight aspirants. 

"I've been thinking about [bringing Begley in] for a while, so absolutely we'll think about it again," Worsfold said on Tuesday.

"That will depend on how everyone else has pulled up from last week and whether we want to make any changes going into this game. I'm really keen to see him get an opportunity at some point.

"He's ready, there's no doubt about that."

Begley, a powerful medium forward, has kicked 15 goals from 11 games at VFL level. He booted four majors for Essendon against Gold Coast in the JLT Community Series earlier this year and impressed with his skills in the forward 50, and Worsfold said his mix of attributes was appealing to the Bombers' match committee. 

"He's a strong young man but he's got a very good tank and work ethic, and he's played his role in the VFL as a forward. Playing that role, if he comes into our side, he'll add value straight away," he said. 

"He's obviously getting plenty of shots at goal but he's creating opportunities, his tackling pressure's excellent and he's a strong marking player with speed and endurance. He's a good blend."

Small forward Josh Green could be the Bomber under some heat to retain his place in Essendon's forward half, having kicked just one goal in the past four games. 

Speedy half-forward Jayden Laverde kicked three goals from 23 disposals in his second VFL game back from injury on the weekend, but Worsfold said he would likely need another hit-out at that level before being up for senior consideration. 

Zach Merrett trained on Tuesday with the main group and has recovered fine from the behind-the-play elbow from Magpies midfielder Levi Greenwood in Saturday's win over Collingwood. 

Worsfold was content with Greenwood being served a one-game suspension – down from two weeks with an early guilty plea – for the hit.   

"I think that's probably about right," he said.