Three changes have been made to the team set to take on the Hawks this Friday night at Etihad Stadium.
The experienced Mark Jamar, James Kelly and Mathew Stokes all return to the team for the round 12 clash.
Injuries to Mark Baguley and Ryan Crowley will see them miss the next few rounds, while the exciting Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has been rested.
While the exclusions are disappointing, Coach John Worsfold believes that the experience coming in will be crucial right across the ground.
“We’re looking to cover for a couple of injuries that we sustained last week, which is disappointing,” said Worsfold
“Making sure that the squad is as well prepared as they can be for Friday night, that’s the challenge for us.
The decision to rest McDonald-Tipungwuti (Walla) was seen as necessary to ensure that he remains fit and injury free for the rest of the season.
“It’s just a rest for Walla, he’s had a big year so far,” said Worsfold
“We’ve seen a couple of older players, and a couple of younger players, who have been prone to breaking down at this point.
“We really thought that it was the right thing to do to give him a week to freshen up, especially coming back from Perth with a short turn around.”
Get your hands on $25 tickets for the game before they run out!
Kelly and Stokes will be looking to pick-up where they left off, with both starting the season explosively.
Meanwhile, Jamar will aim to emulate some of the success from his first game as well as partner up with Matthew Leuenberger for the first time this year.
It also means that Joe Daniher will not have to play as the second ruckman on Friday night.
“Mark Jamar played really well for us a couple of weeks ago while Leuenberger was out recovering from his sore achilles,” said Worsfold
“He’s been wonderful around the group and he’s in good form, so we’re looking forward to giving him a run.
“We don’t have to use Joey in the ruck as much.
“We may still put him on ball for periods, but he gets to focus on his main craft which is playing as a forward.”
Essendon vs. Hawthorn
Friday June 10, 7:50PM (AEST)
Etihad Stadium
Click here for all the Game Day Info
IN: James Kelly, Mathew Stokes and Mark Jamar
OUT: Ryan Crowley (hamstring), Mark Baguley (knee) and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (rested)
Hawks:
IN: Will Langford, Angus Litherland, Marc Pittonet
OUT: Sam Mitchell (back), Taylor Duryea (hip), Jonathon Ceglar (suspension)
FULL TEAM:
B: B.Goddard, P.Ambrose, M.Gleeson
HB: J.Kelly, J.Gwilt, M.Dea
C: D.Parish, D.Zaharakis, A.Cooney
HF: J.Merrett, M.Brown, S.Edwards
F: O.Fantasia, J.Daniher, W.Hams
Foll: M.Leuenberger, C.Bird, Z.Merrett
IC: M.Jamar, M.Stokes, C.Dempsey, K.Langford
Emergencies: J.Ashby, J.Polkinghorne, S.Michael
