Essendon will welcome back two of its biggest stars for Saturday's blockbuster clash with GWS.

Ruckman Sam Draper has been named to make his return after an eight-week absence with a hip injury.

After missing three games with a foot concern, Jake Stringer will return in a much-welcomed boost to the Dons' forward line.

With two experienced senior players returning, some unlucky omissions have occurred with young ruckman Nick Bryan and key defender Kaine Baldwin left out of the best 22.

Last week's substitute Will Snelling has come out of the side, while dynamic midfielder Jye Caldwell has been named as an emergency.

Essendon round 23 team

B:

19. Hind

30. Zerk-Thatcher

21. Heppell

  

HB:

27. Redman

15. Laverde

1. McGrath

  

C:

5. Tsatas

16. Perkins

37. Martin

  

HF:

22. Durham

4. Langford

13. Cox

  

F:

34. Phillips

20. Wright

8. Hobbs

  

Foll:

2. Draper

3. Parish

7. Merrett 

  

Int:

25. Stringer

29. Kelly

35. Guelfi

47. Menzie

Emg:

6. Caldwell

11. Snelling

12. Setterfield

26. Baldwin


In: Draper, Stringer
Outs: Snelling (sub), Bryan (omitted), Baldwin (omitted)