Essendon selectors will face a tough morning at the selection table with at least three changes having to be made to the side that went down to Carlton last weekend. Matthew Lloyd and Gary Moorcroft are both suspended while Joe Misiti will miss with injury. A number of players have performed well in the opening two rounds of the VFL season and they will be closely scrutinised when the side to take on Syndey is selected. Former Hawthorn player Jonathon Robran is one players who looks a big chance of being included.

Robran has played 79 senior matches but only managed to force his way into the senior side on four occasions last season - his first at Windy Hill. But VFL coach Terry Daniher said Robran had improved in his first two games of the season. ""He was solid against Frankston and was better against Carlton. He hasn't missed a beat this pre-season which is in his favour. His hand and foot skills have never been questioned so I think he will be closely considered,"" Daniher said.

Other major chances at the selection table are Mark Bolton, Cory McGrath and Rob Forster-Knight. ""Mark played a couple in the seniors in the Ansett Cup and did a good job in those games. His form has been solid in the first two games so he will be considered,"" Daniher said. ""Cory (McGrath) and Rob (Forster-Knight) also did some good jobs in the Ansett Cup and in practice matches. Cory is very fit and Rob concentrates very well - it will be a matter of the section committee weighing up what they really need.""

Outside chances for selection are Dean Wallis, Daniel McAlister and Ted Richards. ""Dean has only played a half in the reserves so it would be a gamble to pick him but his name has been thrown around. Daniel probably hasn't helped his cause by missing last week through suspension,"" Daniher said. ""Ted (Richards) will make it in time but is still a bit raw. But Kevin (Sheedy) has thrown these blokes in at the deep end before so you never know.""

In other news, running ruckman Judd Lalich will miss this weekend's VFL match against Port Melbourne after being suspended by the reserves tribunal last night. Lalich was found guilty of striking carlton's Matthew Watson. The suspension comes at a bad time for Lalich whose form would have seen him seriously considered for senior selection.