AS EXPECTED, the Western Bulldogs and Essendon have named a host of experienced players in their squads for Friday night's NAB Cup Bushfire Appeal game at Telstra Dome.

Opposing captains Brad Johnson and Matthew Lloyd are among the 29-player sides, which will be trimmed to 26 before the game.

Bulldogs veteran Nathan Eagleton and ruckman Ben Hudson have also been named after coach Rodney Eade previously hinted they were likely to be rested.

Full-back Brian Lake and midfielder Daniel Giansiracusa could both play despite spending a large part of the summer in the rehabilitation group following hip surgery.

In line to make debuts in club colours are young gun Jarrad Grant – who was named in the Dogs' NAB Cup quarter-final squad last year only to be stung by a stingray the day before the game, Jamason Daniels, Easton Wood, James Mulligan, Henry White, Liam Picken and John Shaw.

Meanwhile, the Bombers have turned to a potentially tall attack with Lloyd, Jay Neagle and Scott Gumbleton in line to play together.

Ruckman David Hille and midfielders Mark McVeigh and Bachar Houli have also been named after overcoming injuries, while former Crow Hayden Skipworth may make his debut despite his mild concussion in last week's intra-club match at Whitten Oval.

Draftee David Zaharakis could also be unveiled even though the 18-year-old has been given time off following the tragic death of a close friend in a road accident on the weekend.

Rookies Michael Quinn and Christian Bock have also been named and could play their first games in the red and black.