Essendon has been forced into a third change for Sunday's match against Adelaide, with Orazio Fantasia succumbing to injury.

The 24-year-old sustained a suspected slight calf strain at training today, and has been replaced by Martin Gleeson.

Gleeson joins Aaron Francis and Tom Bellchambers as the Bombers' inclusions, with Cale Hooker (calf) and Andrew Phillips (omitted) also making way.

Matt Guelfi comes in as an emergency.

The Bombers will take on the Crows from 1:05pm AEST at Adelaide Oval, with the action shown live on Fox Footy.

TEAM SELECTION - RD 8:

Backs: Mason Redman, Aaron Francis, Michael Hurley
Half-backs: Conor McKenna, Jordan Ridley, Adam Saad
Centre: Kyle Langford, Zach Merrett, Brayden Ham
Half-forwards: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, David Zaharakis, Will Snelling
Forwards: Jayden Laverde, Jacob Townsend, Devon Smith
Followers: Tom Bellchambers, Darcy Parish, Andrew McGrath
Interchange: Shaun McKernan, Mitch Hibberd, Ned Cahill, Martin Gleeson
Emergencies: Matt Guelfi, Dylan Clarke, James Stewart, Tom Cutler

In: Bellchambers, Francis, Gleeson

Out: Hooker (calf), Phillips (omitted), Fantasia (calf)