Essendon has elevated Shaun McKernan and Ariel Steinberg to its senior list.

They were able to be elevated from the rookie list after Travis Colyer and Tom Bellchambers were placed on the long-term injury list.

Colyer and Bellchambers have been sidelined with foot injuries, allowing McKernan and Steinberg to be selected in the senior side for the next eight weeks.

Each club has the option of elevating a rookie after the bye round (subject to the club’s salary cap position) and that option remains open for the Bombers.

McKernan has already spent time on the senior list this season when Jason Winderlich was recovering from a back injury.

The former Crow was selected with the 12th pick overall in the Rookie Draft last December.

He made his debut for the club against North Melbourne in round seven, picking up 12 possessions and taking five marks.

The mobile big man played 34 matches with Adelaide before joining the Bombers.

He kicked five goals and took 11 marks in his last VFL match.

“If I do get the call up I know it’s going to go up a gear but I’d like to think I’m in a good space physically with how I’ve been playing and mentally as well,” he said.

Steinberg won the VFL Best and Fairest last season and also played three senior matches including the elimination final against North Melbourne.

He’s part of a strong group of key defenders at the club that includes Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker, Dustin Fletcher and James Gwilt.

“It’s pretty hard to get a game when you’ve got probably the best backline in the comp,” Steinberg said.

“But it’s great to be able to learn from these guys at training.”

The defender is averaging 20 possessions and nine marks a game this year in the VFL.

“I’ve played a lot of football in the VFL now so I feel like I’m really ready to come out and play AFL.”