Essendon has made five unforced changes to its side ahead of the crucial clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday.

Four important Bombers will return from injury against the Dockers, with Michael Hurley (shoulder), Adam Saad (hamstring), Darcy Parish (concussion) and Aaron Francis (whiplash) joining the line-up.

First-year Bomber Brayden Ham will also return to the senior side for his first AFL game since round eight.

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Forwards Josh Begley and Mark Baguley, midfielders David Myers and Dylan Clarke, and defender Ben McNiece have all been omitted.

The game is due to begin at 6:10pm (AWST).

FINAL TEAM

B – Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker, Martin Gleeson

HB – Conor McKenna, Patrick Ambrose, Mason Redman

C – Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Zach Merrett, Andrew McGrath

HF – Darcy Parish, Shaun McKernan, Kyle Langford

F – David Zaharakis, Mitch Brown, Jake Stringer

R – Zac Clarke, Dylan Shiel, Dyson Heppell

Interchange – Brayden Ham, Adam Saad, Orazio Fantasia, Aaron Francis

Emergencies – Josh Begley, Dylan Clarke, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Ben McNiece

IN – Hurley, Parish, Ham, Saad, Francis

OUT – Begley, D. Clarke, McNiece, Myers, Baguley (all omitted)