Orazio Fantasia is set to return for Essendon’s clash with Gold Coast on Saturday among three changes at the selection table.

Fantasia was replaced by late inclusion Jake Long for the side’s loss to Collingwood last week after suffering a minor adductor issue, but Long will now make way as the dashing forward returns.

Bombers coach John Worsfold says he expects Fantasia to be back at his best at Metricon Stadium despite his minor setback last week.

“We were hopeful he would have got up for last week’s game. But the fact that he’s done what’s needed so far, we’ve got no doubt that he’s going to be fine,” Worsfold said.

Darcy Parish will take part in his first senior match since round eight after impressing in his return from a nasty thumb injury for Essendon’s VFL side last week.

The on-baller was busy through the midfield and quashed any doubt about his ability to handle the ball after taking advantage of the chance to improve his fitness in his time off the ground.

“Really pleased with the way Darcy performed. Probably more so the credit was how hard he worked in his down time,” Worsfold said.

“He maintained his running program and probably ramped that up even a fair bit, so he ran out the game really strongly and his touch was really good.

“So it was a credit to the way that he and the guys prepared him to come back in.”

Consistent defender Matt Dea joins Parish to replace injured pair Jake Stringer and Patrick Ambrose, and Worsfold said it was great to have such a reliable player at his disposal to bring into the side.

“Matty was unlucky to go out of the team last week when we brought in Benny McNiece and we were pleased with Ben’s performance,” he said.

“Having Matty now fresh after a week off is a real bonus for us.”

Worsfold said he is confident his side can continue its strong form at the tail end of the year despite a number of untimely injuries adding up throughout the season.

“That’s a real challenge for us that we are really keen to show that we can fulfill – (to) maintain what we’ve been building and maintain the type of footy that’s seen us in pretty good form in the last six or seven weeks.

“We want to keep improving on aspects of our game, but (also) maintain the same level of intensity that we’ve been showing.”

FINAL TEAM:

B – Hooker, Myers, Guelfi

HB – McGrath, Hurley, Heppell

C – Dea, Z. Merrett, McKenna

HF – Smith, McKernan, Goddard

F – Fantasia, Brown, Baguley

R – Bellchambers, Langford, McDonald-Tipungwuti

I/C – Parish, Colyer, Saad, McNiece

Emergencies – Francis, Ridley, Green, Long

INS – Fantasia, Parish, Dea

OUTS – Long, Stringer, Ambrose