Essendon has made four changes to its side to tackle Richmond in Friday night’s blockbuster at the MCG.

Joe Daniher, Jake Melksham, Orazio Fantasia and Elliott Kavanagh all return to the side to take on the Tigers.

Tom Bellchambers (omitted), Jackson Merrett (omitted), Patrick Ambrose (jaw) and Dustin Fletcher (groin) are out of the side.

Coach Mark Thompson said his side were determined to start Friday night’s match strong after a poor first quarter against Sydney last weekend.

“The Tigers have been in good form having won five and we lost last week so we are willing to do everything we need to do to win,” Thompson said.

Thompson said Bellchambers had been left out of the side in the hope that he could find some form at VFL level.

“He is fit but he has only just got back up and running the day before the game so we are going to let him play in the VFL and get some form,” he said.

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