One week is a long time in football, just ask Paul Barnard. Last Friday prior to the Fremantle final he announced to the team his retirement in the event it was the side's last game for the season, and one week on he has been named in the side that will take on Port Adelaide in the first Semi Final. Barnard was recalled to the team in place of the suspended Dustin Fletcher. There is no other changes to the team that defeated Fremantle in the first Elimination final by 44-points.

Essendon team:
B: McVeigh, Jacobs, Welsh
HB: Rioli, Lucas, Wellman
C: McPhee, Misiti, Peverill
HF: M.Johnson, Bolton, Solomon
F: Barnard, Lloyd, Cupido
R: Hille, Hird, J.Johnson
Int: Henneman, Haynes, Bullen, McGrath
In: Paul Barnard
Out: Dustin Fletcher (suspended)