The Coaches have made three changes to the team set to take on the Fremantle Dockers this Saturday at Domain Stadium. 

Essendon will be searching for their second win of the season when they travel to the West to take on the winless Dockers.

Matthew Leuenberger and Jackson Merrett both return to the team, while Will Hams will play his first game in over a year.

Read more about Will Hams’ return here.

The trio comes in at the expense of the injured Michael Hartley, ruckman Mark Jamar and veteran James Kelly – who has been rested after a blistering start to the season.

Leuenberger’s return is one of importance, with the ruckman expected to benefit from consistent game time with the Essendon midfielders.

“We’re rapt to have Leuey back in the side, he’s fully recovered and stringing some games together which is great for us,” said Worsfold

“His form and fitness will continue to improve over the course of the year. 

“We were really pleased with Jamar’s performance last week, but Leuenberger is ahead of him at this stage. 

“There may be some point in the year where we’ll play both ruckmen and have a look at how that structure works.”

The game will also hold particular significance for midfielder Ryan Crowley, who will come up against his old team for the first time since joining the Bombers.

Crowley was an integral part of the Docker’s mix, playing 188 games for the team and winning the Club’s best and fairest medal in 2012.

Woosha has tapped into Crowley’s knowledge of his old teammates, as he looks to prepare the boys for the trip to the West.

“We’ve talked to Ryan and he’s given the players some feedback on Fremantle’s main goals and main aims and how they go about things,” said Worsfold

“Ultimately, it will boil down to our intent on the weekend to get in and win the contest.”

Fremantle vs. Essendon

Saturday June 4, 5:40PM (AWST)

Domain Stadium 

Click here for all the Game Day Info

IN: Will Hams, Jackson Merrett and Matthew Leuenberger

OUT: Michael Hartley (hamstring), James Kelly (rested) and Mark Jamar (omitted)

TEAM:

B:        C.Dempsey, P.Ambrose, S.Edwards

HB:      A.McDonald-Tipungwuti, J.Gwilt, M.Dea

C:        J.Merrett, D.Zaharakis, W.Hams

HF:      B.Goddard, M.Brown, D.Parish

F:         M.Baguley, J.Daniher, A.Cooney

Foll:    M.Leuenberger, R.Crowley, O.Fantasia

IC:       Z.Merrett, M.Gleeson, C.Bird, K.Langford

Emergencies:  J.Polkinghorne, M.Jamar, S.Michael