North Melbourne has made a massive five changes for the clash against Essendon on Saturday.

Majak Daw has been presented the opportunity to shoulder the ruck duties, with Todd Goldstein left out of the side.

Goldstein struggled to have an impact against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, paving the way for Daw to step into the fold as the Roos’ No.1 big man for the game at Etihad Stadium.

Trent Dumont, Nick Larkey, Ryan Clarke, Sam Durdin and Jarrad Waite are in for Goldstein, Lindsay Thomas (omitted), Jack Ziebell who was left out due to a raft of injuries, Corey Wagner (ankle) and Mitch Hibberd (shoulder).

Essendon has recalled Jobe Watson and Jayden Laverde, with Josh Green (hamstring) and Craig Bird out.

North team v Essendon

Backs S.Atley 18 R.Tarrant 25 D.Nielson 26

Half Backs D.Mountford 42 S.Thompson 16 A.Mullett 17

Centreline S.Gibson 43 T.Dumont 14 A.Swallow 9

Half Forwards L.McDonald 11 J.Waite 30 T.Garner 27

Forwards J.Simpkin 21 B.Brown 50 N.Hrovat 8

Followers M.Daw 38 S.Higgins 4 B.Cunnington 10

Interchange R.Clarke 13 S.Durdin 24 N.Larkey 40 C.Zurhaar 44

Emergencies J.Anderson 3 L.Hansen 6 J.Williams 36

In: J.Waite, T.Dumont, S.Durdin, R.Clarke, N.Larkey

Out: L.Thomas (Omitted), T.Goldstein (Omitted), J.Ziebell (Managed), M.Hibberd (Shoulder), C.Wagner (Ankle)

New: N.Larkey