Essendon has made two changes for its round eight clash against Hawthorn with speedy defender Nick Hind and young ruckman Nick Bryan earning selection.

Last week's activated medical substitute Dylan Shiel has  been retained in the Dons' best 22.

Hind and Bryan's inclusions come after Nik Cox (ankle) and Jake Stringer (hamstring) were ruled out, while Kaine Baldwin has been omitted from the side.

After accumulating 23 disposals in one half of VFL on the weekend, Hind has earned his recall and will take his place in the Bombers' back six.

Hind was scintillating for the VFL Dons, clearly commanding play with impeccable ball use and strong running patterns. 

Bryan's one goal, 14 disposals, 30 hitouts, four marks, three tackles and five inside 50s in the same game showed the 20-year-old is ready to support No.1 ruck Sam Draper in a key position role.

Saturday night's game will be Bryan's second at the top level after he made his AFL debut last season against Carlton in round seven.

Dylan Shiel will take his place on the wing after showing enough in a half of football after replacing the injured Cox.

ESSENDON'S RD 8 TEAM

Backs: Jayden Laverde, Jake Kelly, Mason Redman
Half-backs: Nick Hind, Jordan Ridley, Dyson Heppell (C)
Centreline: Dylan Shiel, Darcy Parish, Tom Cutler
Half-forwards: Matt Guelfi, Alec Waterman, Nic Martin
Forwards: Nick Bryan, Peter Wright, Archie Perkins
Followers: Sam Draper, Zach Merrett, Andrew McGrath
Interchange: Zach Reid, Jye Caldwell, Ben Hobbs, Sam Durham
Emergencies: Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Brayden Ham, Kaine Baldwin, Aaron Francis

In: Bryan, Hind

Out: Cox (ankle), Stringer (hamstring), Baldwin (omitted)

Last week's medical sub: Shiel (replaced Cox)