Essendon has made three changes to its side for the Friday night blockbuster against Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium.

The team will be boosted by the inclusion of three experiences stars, with forward Orazio Fantasia, midfielder Dylan Shiel and versatile Bomber Jake Stringer all returning from injury.

Key-position Don Aaron Francis, small forward Mark Baguley and defender Ben McNiece have been omitted to make way for the trio.

FINAL TEAM
B – Patrick Ambrose, Michael Hurley, Andrew McGrath
HB – Conor McKenna, Cale Hooker, Adam Saad
C – Mason Redman, Zach Merrett, Kyle Langford
HF – David Zaharakis, Jayden Laverde, Matt Guelfi
F – Darcy Parish, Shaun McKernan, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
R – Tom Bellchambers, Dylan Shiel, Dyson Heppell
Interchange – Orazio Fantasia, Jake Stringer, Dylan Clarke, Josh Begley
Emergencies – Aaron Francis, Mark Baguley, Zac Clarke, Ben McNiece

IN – Fantasia, Stringer, Shiel
OUT – Francis, Baguley, McNiece (all omitted)