Alec Waterman will play his first AFL game of the season on Sunday. (Photo: AFL Photos)

Essendon has made three changes for its clash with Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

Will Snelling, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Alec Waterman will play their first AFL games of the season, replacing Tom Cutler (AFL health and safety protocols) and injured pair Jake Stringer (hamstring) and James Stewart (calf).

Devon Smith, last week's unused medical sub, has been named an emergency alongside Cody Brand, Aaron Francis and Ben Hobbs.

See stand-in coach Blake Caracella explain the changes below.

04:03

Rd 4 | Caracella on three changes

Stand-in senior coach Blake Caracella discusses the changes to the side ahead of Sunday's clash against the Crows.

ESSENDON'S RD 4 TEAM:

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

Emergencies: Devon Smith, Ben Hobbs, Cody Brand, Aaron Francis

In: Snelling, Waterman, Zerk-Thatcher

Out: Cutler (H&S Protocols), Stringer (hamstring), Stewart (calf)

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