David Zaharakis will become the fifth Essendon player to sidestep a previously-agreed ban on 2012-listed AFL players playing in the NAB Challenge when he lines up against GWS on Friday night.

An AFL tribunal is currently considering the fate of around 17 Essendon players who have been issued with infraction notices by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

With the club and players keen to preserve the anonymity of those involved, as well as not risking the potential for backdated bans, it was agreed all 25 2012-listed players would sit out the NAB Challenge.

Four younger 2012-listed Bombers successfully argued to play in last week’s match against St Kilda, confirming they are not the subject of the ASADA investigation.

Zaharakis’ inclusion for Friday’s match is a confirmation that he – like Jackson Merrett, Nick O’Brien, Elliott Kavanagh and Lauchlan Dalgleish – is in the clear.

It has long been known that Zaharakis was not involved in the Bombers’ 2012 supplements regime.

In 2013, Zaharakis’ agent Scott Lucas said the 25-year-old did not partake in the program due to a fear of needles.

The Bombers will again call upon 11 “top-up” players against GWS with the withdrawal of so many senior players.

But James Hird’s side look closer to full-strength this weekend, with Zaharakis joining Brendon Goddard, Zach Merrett and Joe Daniher in a 29-man squad named on Wednesday afternoon.

Adam Cooney and James Gwilt are set to make their debuts for their new club.

The tribunal’s ruling on players issued with infraction notices is expected before the AFL season commences in April.