Tex Wanganeen will take to the AFL field for the first time, with the 18-year-old one of four inclusions for Essendon for Friday night's clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

Wanganeen, who made his AFL debut last week despite not being used as the medical sub, joins Andrew Phillips and returning pair Nic Martin and Dylan Shiel in senior coach Ben Rutten's 22.

Devon Smith and Aaron Francis have been omitted, while Zach Merrett and Nik Cox have been sidelined with ankle injuries.

Ben Hobbs is also in the mix to make his AFL debut as medical sub, joining Smith, Alec Waterman and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher as emergencies.

Rutten said Wanganeen had earned his opportunity to start on the field.

"Tex has been a great story over the summer for us," Rutten said.

"We've been really impressed with what he brings to the club, his attitude and the way he goes about things. To see him get a full game will be fantastic."

See Rutten discuss the other team changes below.

ESSENDON'S RD 3 TEAM:

Backs: James Stewart, Jayden Laverde, Jake Kelly
Half-backs: Mason Redman, Dyson Heppell (C), Nick Hind
Centreline: Andrew McGrath, Jye Caldwell, Tom Cutler
Half-forwards: Jake Stringer, Matt Guelfi, Nic Martin
Forwards: Archie Perkins, Peter Wright, Tex Wanganeen
Followers: Sam Draper, Darcy Parish, Sam Durham
Interchange: Jordan Ridley, Dylan Shiel, Brayden Ham, Andrew Phillips

Emergencies: Ben Hobbs, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Devon Smith, Alec Waterman

In: Wanganeen, Shiel, Martin, Phillips

Out: Merrett (ankle), Cox (ankle), Francis (omitted), Smith (omitted)

Last week's medical sub: Wanganeen (not used)