Essendon has officially launched its new esports team tonight on the eve of the Club’s first season competing in the Oceanic Pro League.

AFL players Cale Hooker, Tom Bellchambers and Orazio Fantasia joined the Bombers esports squad at the season launch at GGEZ Bar Basement in Melbourne, with Fantasia taking on Bombers’ esports player, Andrew Rose, in an exhibition game of League of Legends.

Fantasia said he will be following the Bombers esports team with interest this season.

“It’s great to have an esports team as part of the Essendon Football Club,” Fantasia said.

“I know a number of our players are into gaming, it’s rapidly growing and is very popular with the millennial generation.

“We have loved meeting the players, learning more about it and we are looking forward to seeing how they go in the first split, hopefully they can have a really successful 2018.”

The team is living in the Bombers Gaming House and training at The Hangar in a dedicated esports space at the Club.

The new season and first split begins this Sunday with the Bombers taking on Avant Garde at 5pm.

Every Bombers OPL match can be streamed live and free on Twitch.

Rose, who grew up an Essendon supporter, said it was a dream come true to represent the Bombers.

“The world has a weird way of doing things,” Rose said.

“My childhood dream was to play for Essendon, I just didn’t think that it was going to be playing league,” Rose said.

“I am excited to represent The Bombers throughout 2018 and I can't wait for the opportunities that lie ahead.”

The Bombers 2018 esports squad was officially introduced on stage:

Players:

Christian “Sleeping” Tiensuu – Top Laner

Sebastian “Seb” De Ceglie - Jungler

Carlo “Looch” La Civita – Mid Laner

Alan “Tiger” Roger - ADC

Andrew “Rosey” Rose - Support

Jeremy “Draqon” Souki - Substitute

Huy “BushyBooBoo” Huynh - Substitute

General Manager – Nathan Mathews-Mallia

Head Coach – Scott Farmer

Strategic Coach – Justin Carew

For the Bombers 2018 fixture, click here.