Essendon has named four inclusions to its round nine team to face Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night.

Four of last week's five late withdrawals to illness have regained their spot in the Bombers' side.

Key defenders Jordan Ridley and Jake Kelly will bolster the Dons' back six, while fellow backman Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is unavailable for selection due to injury.

Sam Durham and Matt Guelfi regain their positions on the bench and in the forward line respectively after recovering from illness.

Devon Smith will miss through illness after courageously putting his hand up to play last week.

Midfielder Brayden Ham and key forward Kaine Baldwin have both been omitted after being late inclusions last week.

Last week's unused medical sub Alastair Lord has not been named in the side or emergencies.

02:44

Rd 9 | Rutten on four inclusions, changing winning team

Senior coach Ben Rutten explains a difficult week at the selection table as the Bombers prepare to face the Swans at the SCG.

ESSENDON'S RD 9 TEAM:

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

In: Kelly, Ridley, Guelfi, Durham

Out: Ham (omitted), Zerk-Thatcher (injured), Smith (illness), Kaine Baldwin (omitted), Lord (medical sub)

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

Milestone: Heppell - 200 AFL games