Essendon has made one change to its side ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster clash with Collingwood at the MCG.

Ben McNiece has been included in the side to take on the Magpies at the expense of fellow defender Matt Dea.

McNiece has impressed with his strength and dash off half-back in the VFL to earn his fourth senior game of the season.

FINAL TEAM:

B – Hooker, Ambrose, McGrath

HB – Saad, Hurley, McKenna

C – Heppell, Z. Merrett, Colyer

HF – Smith, McKernan, McDonald-Tipungwuti

F – Fantasia, Brown, Baguley

R – Bellchambers, Goddard, Stringer

I/C – Myers, Langford, Guelfi, McNiece

Emergencies – Long, J. Merrett, Dea, Francis

IN – McNiece

OUT – Dea