Essendon has made five changes to the side to take on Adelaide on Saturday night.

James Kelly, Matthew Leuenberger, Matt Dea, Jayden Laverde and Andrew McGrath have been named to make their return to the senior side.

Tom Bellchambers (foot), Mark Baguley (rested), Orazio Fantasia (hamstring), Zach Merrett (suspension) and Michael Hartley are the players to miss out.

Round 21

Essendon vs Adelaide

Saturday August 12

7:25pm

Etihad Stadium

In: James Kelly, Matthew Leuenberger, Matt Dea, Jayden Laverde, Andrew McGrath

Out: Tom Bellchambers (foot), Mark Baguley (rested), Orazio Fantasia (hamstring), Zach Merrett (suspension), Michael Hartley

B: Andrew McGrath, Matt Dea, James Kelly

HB: Brendon Goddard, Michael Hurley, Patrick Ambrose

C: Darcy Parish, Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell

HF: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Cale Hooker, Travis Colyer

F: Jayden Laverde, Joe Daniher, James Stewart

R: Matthew Leuenberger, David Zaharakis, Ben Howlett

I: Martin Gleeson, Josh Green, David Myers, Conor McKenna

E: Mark Baguley, Josh Begley, Craig Bird