The Bombers will be lookng to bounce back after two straight losses since their ANZAC Day win over Collingwood.
Jobe Watson returns to bolster the midfield, while Andrew McGrath's composure and rebound will be an asset across half back.
James Stewart has been selected for his first game with the Club.
The former GWS player has been in excellent form in the VFL and adds another aerial presence in the Dons attacking half.
James Kelly will play his 300th match. The three-time premiership player spent 14 seasons at the Cats before crossing to the Bombers in 2016.
Read Robert Shaw's match preview here.
The weather
Partly cloudy, light winds with a top of 17.
The history
R20, 2016, Geelong Cats 15.10 (100) d Essendon 4.10 (34) at Etihad Stadium
R4, 2016, Geelong Cats 9.18 (72) d Essendon 6.6 (42) at the MCG
R10, 2015, Geelong Cats 19.8 (122) d Essendon 7.11 (53) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2014, Geelong Cats 13.11 (89) d Essendon 11.14 (80) at Etihad Stadium
R7, 2013, Geelong Cats 17.11 (113) d Essendon 11.19 (85) at Etihad Stadium
The teams
Essendon
In: Jobe Watson, James Stewart, Andrew McGrath
Out: Brent Stanton, Martin Gleeson, Aaron Francis
New: James Stewart
Milestone: James Kelly – 300 games
B: Matt Dea, Michael Hurley, Conor McKenna
HB: Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley, Orazio Fantasia
C: Brendon Goddard, David Zaharakis, James Kelly
HF: James Stewart, Cale Hooker, Darcy Parish
F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Joe Daniher, Jobe Watson
R: Matthew Leuenberger, Dyson Heppell, Travis Colyer
I: Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett, Josh Green, David Myers
E: Kobe Mutch, Craig Bird, Shaun McKernan
Geelong
In: Tom Stewart, Jake Kolodjashnij, Sam Menegola, Mark O'Connor, Zac Smith
Out: Lachie Henderson (Chest), Aaron Black, Jackson Thurlow, Darcy Lang, Jordan Murdoch
New: Mark O'Connor
B: Jed Bews, Tom Lonergan, Tom Stewart
HB: Zach Tuohy, Andrew Mackie, Jake Kolodjashnij
C: George Horlin-Smith, Joel Selwood, Sam Menegola
HF: James Parsons, Harry Taylor, Mark O'Connor
F: Steven Motlop, Tom Hawkins, Daniel Menzel
R: Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan
I: Mark Blicavs, Nakia Cockatoo, Cameron Guthrie, Zac Smith
E: Aaron Black, Jordan Murdoch, Tom Ruggles
Key notes:
- The inclusion of James Stewart provides a number of extra options for the Bombers coahcing staff. They could opt for three talls in attack with Stewart partnering Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker. Conversely, Hooker could be moved to defence in the absence of the injured Mitch Brown and Patrick Ambrose. Stewart can relieve Matthew Leuenberger in the ruck too, meaning Daniher can remain in the attacking half.
- Geelong is ranked first in the competition for handballs (averaging 197.6 a game). Essendon is a high kicking team, ranking second with an average of 227.4 a game.
- Essendon had played three games in 13 days leading into tonight's match. In that time the Bombers used 29 players but only 13 have played in all three games. Geelong has used 29 for the entire season.
