ESSENDON coach James Hird is planning to start Jake Carlisle forward in Sunday's clash against the Western Bulldogs, but the returning tall will be given time in his preferred position in the backline.
Carlisle, who is back after four weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury, comes in as key defender Michael Hurley is forced out with a knee injury, opening a spot in defence.
Hird, however, said he would send Cale Hooker into defence after an impressive run in the forward line before rotating Carlisle and Hooker to keep the Bulldogs guessing.
"I think both of them can play at either end and we've found in the last four or five weeks with Cale that he's an outstanding forward as well as an outstanding backman," Hird said on Saturday.
"It's a luxury we're pleased we have.
"We'll start [Carlisle] forward and 'Hookesy' will go back, but we'll wait and see how their match-ups go … we'll try and create a little bit of indecision in the Bulldogs."
Hooker has averaged more than eight marks a game since moving forward and kicked three goals against Port Adelaide last Saturday night.
The Bombers' other option to replace Hurley in defence was Tayte Pears, who is yet to play a senior game this season.
"He was very close," Hird said of Pears who hasn't played for the club since round 23, 2013.
"We think (Ariel) Steinberg and (James) Gwilt have been very good for us and Tayte has been playing forward in the reserves for most of the year, and the last three weeks we've had him back.
"He can play at either end and he'll get his opportunity in the next few weeks."
Ruckman Jonathan Giles will play his first game for the Bombers after crossing from Greater Western Sydney, with the Bombers dropping Shaun McKernan after five weeks.
Hird said Giles had secured his selection after two impressive matches in the VFL.
"We just want a bit more of the tap work and unfortunately for Shaun he's come up against two pretty good ruck combinations in North Melbourne and Port Adelaide," Hird said.
"Giles is up against a ruckman this week (Tom Campbell) with similar experience and I think it'll be a good contest.
"We think both Shaun and Jonathan have a long term future here and we're keen to develop them into the players we want them to be."
Hird insisted the club had not put a line through veteran Paul Chapman, who needed to enhance his fitness with one more match in the VFL before earning selection.
The coach was also tight-lipped on how the Bombers would combat former forward Stewart Crameri, who left to join the Bulldogs at the end of the 2013 season.
"Stuey, Stuey's a good fella … we just want to make sure he doesn't kick goals on us," Hird said.
