Essendon has made three changes to the team set to face Geelong this Saturday.

Following the loss to Port Adelaide last Friday, Coach John Worsfold has opted to bring in two additional forward options and an experienced midfielder.

Jayden Laverde, Craig Bird and Conor McKenna will all come in for the game against the Cats.

It will be the first game of the season for both Laverde and McKenna, while Bird will rejoin the team after a strong performance for Essendon VFL over the weekend.

Saturday’s game is an important one for both teams as they take part in the inaugural ‘Country Game’.

The brainchild of Kevin Sheedy, the game endeavours to celebrate the outstanding contribution that rural Australians have had towards both our game and wider community.

You can learn more about the Country Game and all the great activities, events and entertainment by visiting the Powercor Country Program Hub.

Essendon vs. Geelong:

Saturday April 16, 1:45pm

Be there from 10:30am to enjoy the activities in Yarra Park

MCG

Team:

INS: Jayden Laverde, Craig Bird, Conor McKenna

OUTS: Nick Kommer (omit.), Jackson Merrett (omit.) and Ryan Crowley (omit.)

B: Matt Dea, Pat Ambrose, Mark Baguley

HB: James Gwilt, Michael Hartley, Brendon Goddard

C: James Kelly, David Zaharakis, Darcy Parish



HF: Conor McKenna, Mitch Brown, Adam Cooney

F: Mathew Stokes, Joe Daniher, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

R: Matthew Leuenberger, Kyle Langford, Craig Bird

I: Martin Gleeson, Orazio Fantasia, Zach Merrett, Jayden Laverde

Emergency: Nick Kommer, Jonathan Simpkin, Sam Grimley