Over 450 games of experience comes into the Essendon side this week with James Hird, Matthew Lloyd and Dustin Fletcher all returning from injury. The injection of the trio will greatly bolster the team's chances against the second top side. Jason Winderlich goes out of the side and the coaching panel will omit a further three players come Sunday. After nine rounds Essendon has four wins on the board and will be aiming to secure its fifth against West Coast to stay in touch with the top eight.

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

In: Hird, Lloyd, Fletcher, Davies
Out: Winderlich (omitted)