North Melbourne has made three changes to the side which defeated St Kilda last week.

Majak Daw and Brad McKenzie are both in for their first games of the season after being named in the 22, hosted by Airbnb.

Lindsay Thomas is the other inclusion, having missed the clash against the Saints due to suspension.

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As confirmed earlier in the week, Shaun Higgins is set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, while Daniel Wells (quad) and Michael Firrito (managed) are the other outs.

Ryan Clarke continues to take big strides in his development after being drafted last year, named as an emergency alongside Trent Dumont and Farren Ray.

Ray was promoted to North’s senior list on Thursday morning, in place of Higgins.

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North team v Essendon

B: Jamie Macmillan, Robbie Tarrant, Luke McDonald

HB: Nick Dal Santo, Scott Thompson, Shaun Atley

C: Sam Gibson, Andrew Swallow, Ben Jacobs

HF: Ben Brown, Jarrad Waite, Robbie Nahas

F: Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas

Fol: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell

Int: Brad McKenzie, Aaron Mullett, Mason Wood, Majak Daw

Emer: Ryan Clarke, Trent Dumont, Farren Ray

In: Lindsay Thomas, Majak Daw, Brad McKenzie

Out: Daniel Wells (quad), Michael Firrito (managed), Shaun Higgins (knee)

Essendon has made four changes to its side, with former Roo Nathan Grima named at full back.

Essendon team v North

B: M Dea, N Grima, M Baguley

HB: J Kelly, M Hartley, B Goddard

C: O Fantasia, D Zaharakis, Z Merrett

HF: C McKenna, M Brown, P Ambrose

F: K Langford, J Daniher, M Redman

Fol: M Leuenberger, A Cooney, C Bird

Int: D Parish, A McDonald-Tipungwiuti, J Polkinghorne, R Crowley

Emer: J Merrett, J Gwilt, S Michael

In: P Ambrose, K Langford, D Parish, C McKenna

Out: C Dempsey (hamstring), J Simpkin (hamstring), J Gwilt (rested), S McKernan (quad)



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