Essendon has made three changes for the match against Geelong on Saturday night.

Jobe Watson and Andrew McGrath return to the side, while James Stewart will play his first game for the Club.

Stewart played 18 games for GWS before joining the Bombers at the end of last year.

Brent Stanton, Martin Gleeson and Aaron Francis have been left out of the side.

The match will mark James Kelly’s 300th AFL game. He played 273 games for Geelong, including three Grand Final wins, before he joined the Bombers in 2016.

The first bounce will follow the Country Festival that will be held in Yarra Park and on the MCG in the lead-up to the game.

Farm animals, fresh produce, machinery and chart topping country singers will provide something for everyone.

There will also be a curtain raiser played on the MCG between Victoria’s top ranked country leagues.

“I think it’s wonderful to acknowledge the contribution country people have made,” Essendon Coach John Worsfold said.

“I know there will be a lot of them at the game and a lot do travel to games in the city anyway … but it’s our chance, city folk and the AFL, to acknowledge their contribution.

“There is going to be a lot happening around the MCG which will be great and it’s a real day out for families to get along to and finish off with watching the Bombers get up.”

Essendon v Geelong

Saturday May 13

7:25pm

MCG

In: Jobe Watson, James Stewart, Andrew McGrath

Out: Brent Stanton, Martin Gleeson, Aaron Francis

New: James Stewart

Milestone: James Kelly – 300 games

B: Matt Dea, Michael Hurley, Conor McKenna

HB: Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley, Orazio Fantasia

C: Brendon Goddard, David Zaharakis, James Kelly

HF: James Stewart, Cale Hooker, Darcy Parish

F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Joe Daniher, Jobe Watson

R: Matthew Leuenberger, Dyson Heppell, Travis Colyer

I: Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett, Josh Green, David Myers

E: Kobe Mutch, Craig Bird, Shaun McKernan