Kevin Sheedy indicated all week that the coaching panel was not afraid to make changes to the side that defeated Geelong by six goals. So it comes as no surprise that fresh legs come into the side. In comes Ted Richards after starring for the Bendigo Bombers in recent weeks. Also to come into the side is veteran Steve Alessio. After debuting last week Jobe Watson has been omitted from the team, as has Paul Barnard.

Essendon team:
B: Welsh, Fletcher, Jacobs
HB: Bolton, Wellman, McPhee
C: Solomon, Misiti, Peverill
HF: Hird, Lucas, J.Johnson
F: Cupido, Lloyd, Ramanauskas
R: Hille, M.Johnson, McVeigh
Interchange: Bullen, Richards, Reynolds, Alessio

Emergency:Barnard, McGrath, Bannister

Ins: Richards, Alessio

Outs: Watson, Barnard