Essendon selectors dropped the axe on three players and made two other forced changes as the Essendon side underwent its biggest overhaul of the year.

Selectors were tonight forced to leave out Mark Johnson (suspension) and Chris Heffernan (knee) while Mark Fraser, Dean Wallis and Michael Prior will all return to the VFL side.

Captain James Hird has returned to the side after missing last week's game because of a broken finger.

Seasoned duo Sean Denham and Darren Bewick also returned to the side along with Paul Barnard and Danny Jacobs.

The five changes made to the team is the biggest turnover selectors have made this season.