Ins and outs
ESSENDON coach John Worsfold has made three changes to the side that travelled to Perth last week, with Ryan Crowley (hamstring) and vice-captain Mark Baguley (knee) both ruled out from facing the Hawks through injury.
Pacey first-year defender Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is being managed after playing every game thus far in 2016.
Experienced midfielder James Kelly returns after having a week off, while Matthew Stokes and Mark Jamar also comes back into the Essendon side.
What to expect
The club has taken a strong stance on developing young players this season, with players such as Darcy Parish, Zach Merrett, Kyle Langford and Patrick Ambrose all playing as much game time as possible to fast track their development in the absence of Essendon’s more senior players.
The Bombers still possess a group of high quality players who will need to be watched carefully by the Hawks, with Brendon Goddard, David Zaharakis and Adam Cooney leading a very young side.
Players to watch
David Zaharakis was particularly quiet in Perth last week, going without a possession in the first quarter and finishing with just 11 disposals for the match – his lowest tally since Round 16, 2013.
TEAM: Hawthorn makes three changes to face Essendon
Zaharakis is a quality player and will be wanting to bounce back against the Hawks, who he averages 20.4 disposals against.
Youngster Zach Merrett is having a career best season, averaging 28.4 disposals per game in 2016 and earmarking himself as a player to watch in years to come.
