Essendon has made two changes to the side for the match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Jobe Watson returns after he was rested last week, while Jayden Laverde has been named for his first match of the season.

Josh Green (hamstring) and Craig Bird are the players to miss out.

Laverde injured his ankle in March. He has played the last three games in the VFL and booted six goals last week.

The match against the Kangaroos is the Club’s annual ‘Clash for Cancer’.

As part of the Club’s partnership with Challenge, 22 kids from the children’s cancer charity, will join the team when they run out on to the field.

The players will wear a ‘splash of yellow’ on their jumpers and fans are encouraged to do the same.

The career of Our Comeback Hero, Adam Ramanauskas, will be celebrated before the match.

Round 18

Essendon vs North Melbourne

Saturday July 22

Etihad Stadium

1:45pm

In: Jobe Watson, Jayden Laverde

Out: Josh Green (hamstring), Craig Bird

B: Andrew McGrath, Michael Hartley, Martin Gleeson

HB: Conor McKenna, Michael Hurley, James Kelly

C: Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, Brendon Goddard

HF: Orazio Fantasia, Cale Hooker, Travis Colyer

F: James Stewart, Joe Daniher, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

R: Tom Bellchambers, Jobe Watson, Darcy Parish

I: David Zaharakis, Mark Baguley, David Myers, Jayden Laverde

E: Josh Begley, Kyle Langford, Matt Dea