Essendon is relying on a mix of youth and experience to cover the absence of Jobe Watson and Dustin Fletcher this week.

Watson and Fletcher were ruled out with injury while Jackson Merrett was also left out of the line-up to take on Geelong on Saturday night.

James Gwilt will fill the defensive void left by Fletcher, while Elliott Kavanagh and Orazio Fantasia come in after showing some good form in the VFL. 

“All credit to them.  We’ve made them earn those games,” Essendon Coach James Hird said.

“They’ve played really good consistent football for the last five or six weeks so they deserve their game.”

Kavanagh collected 23 possessions and laid six tackles in the Bombers VFL win over Richmond last week.

Fantasia has averaged 23 disposals per game over the last three weeks in the VFL.

Both could spend time in the midfield as the Bombers look to cover the loss of Watson.

“We’re going to have to share it around a bit.  Zach Merrett will spend some more time in there,” Hird said.

“Jake Melksham will get more of a ‘freer’ role through there. 

“Different guys will share it around.  Brendon Goddard, Brent Stanton will spend some more time inside as well so we’ll mix it around but we think we’ve got the team that will do the job.”

Both sides have won four games from their nine matches so far and sit outside the top eight.

“We’ve got a good team.  It’s a big game against the Cats," Hird said.

“Geelong’s obviously a quality football team and have been for a long time.

“Both teams desperately need a win.”