The club has announced five changes to the team set to take on the Gold Coast Suns this Saturday.

Injured defender Michael Hurley is a big inclusion after missing the last two games with a knee injury.

Shaun McKernan also returns for the Jonathan Giles who suffered a minor knee injury in last week’s loss to the Crows.

Nick O’Brien, Patrick Ambrose and Orazio Fantasia also return for the game after strong performances for Essendon VFL.

Essendon v Gold Coast Suns

Saturday August 22

Metricon Stadium

Backs:

Baguley, Hurley, Gleeson, Hibberd, Carlisle and Melksham

Centre:

Stanton, Hocking, Heppell

Forwards:

J.Merrett, Edwards, Laverde, Dempsey, Hooker and Daniher

Followers:

McKernan, Zaharakis and Goddard

Interchange:

Ambrose, O’Brien, Howlett and Fantasia

Emergencies:

Steinberg, Pears and Langford

IN:

Hurley, McKernan, O’Brien, Ambrose and Fantasia

OUT:

Myers (Back), Giles (Knee), Pears (Omitted), Steinberg (Omitted) and Langford (Omitted)