Essendon selectors have opted not to risk captain James Hird against Collingwood this weekend.

Hird will spend another week on the sidelines with lower back problems but is expected to be fully fit for the finals.

Joining Hird on the sidelines is defender Damien Hardwick who hasn't fully recovered from a kick he received to the ankle against the Western Bulldogs.

John barnes will miss through suspension with Dean Rioli the other player missing from last weekend's side - a broken collarbone sidelining him for the remainder of the season.

Into the Bomber line-up comes tough-nut Sean Denham, Paul Barnard and Mark Bolton who will be having his first tatse of senior football this season.

Emergencies for the Bombers are Mark McVeigh, Mark Fraser and Aaron Henneman.

With Barnes out, a lot of responsibility will fall on the shoulders og big man Steven Alessio.

Alessio has performed well in the ruck this season and is sure to relish the chance to take on the Magpies this weekend.