HAWTHORN has made a second late change within 15 minutes of the first bounce in Saturday's match against Essendon.

Premiership player Will Langford suffered back spasms in the warm-up, continuing his frustrating run of injury after a finger tendon problem and a break on separate hands.

Langford is yet to play consecutive matches this year.

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Brendan Whitecross replaces Langford and will play his first game for the season.

"Langers has just had some back spasms while warming up, and it hasn't settled down in time for the match," GM-Football Graham Wright said.

James Cousins had earlier come into the side for Ricky Henderson, who has gastro.

Essendon v Hawthorn at the MCG, 2.10pm AEST

LATE CHANGES

Essendon: Nil

Hawthorn: Ricky Henderson (illness) replaced in the selected side by James Cousins, Will Langford (back spasms) replaced in the selected side by Brendon Whitecross

FINAL INTERCHANGES

Essendon: D.Zaharakis, D.Myers, J.Stringer, C.McKenna

Hawthorn: D.Howe, B.Stratton, W.Langford, H.Morrison