Bomber skipper James Hird and star half-forward Dean Rioli have been named in the Essendon side to play Hawthorn at Colonial Stadium on Saturday night.

Hird has missed the past three weeks with a broken small finger while Rioli hasn't played senior football since round two against Richmond.

Michael Prior and Danny Jacobs were the unlucky players being dropped to the VFL side to make way for the pair.

Rioli missed the best part of two months after breaking his collarbone and has played two reserve's matches since his comeback.

Rioli collected 26 possessions in the reserves against Springvale last weekend to earn his recall.