Essendon has made three changes for the match against Carlton on Sunday.

Matthew Leuenberger, Heath Hocking and Mitch Brown return for their first game of the season.

Michael Hartley, Ben Howlett (hamstring) and Shaun McKernan miss out.

Carlton vs. Essendon

Sunday April 9

3:20pm (AEST)

MCG

In: Matthew Leuenberger, Heath Hocking, Mitch Brown

Out: Ben Howlett (hamstring), Michael Hartley, Shaun McKernan

Milestone: David Zaharakis 150 games

B: Baguley, Hurley, Stanton

HB: Goddard, Ambrose, Kelly

C: Colyer, Heppell, Fantasia

HF: Brown, Hooker, Zaharakis

F: Z.Merrett, Daniher, McDonald-Tipungwuti

R: Leuenberger, Watson, Hocking

I: McGrath, Parish, Gleeson, Langford

E: Stewart, McKernan, Dea