Jason Ashby has come into the Essendon line-up for today's match against GWS.

Matt Dea is the late withdrawal.

Ashby hasn’t played since round 16 last year and the 22 year old will be looking to add to his ten senior games.

His inclusion in the side comes on the back of a 25-possession performance in the VFL last week against Sandringham.

“Jason, in a very young backline in the VFL last week, was a real leader down there,” Essendon Coach John Worsfold said. 

“He played really well, his voice was really strong.

“His focus was to be in really good form and to be knocking down the door which he’s starting to do now."