Hawthorn has confirmed one change to its Round 20 side, with youngster Harry Morrison replacing Jonathan O’Rourke.
Morrison has made a quick return after being left out of last week’s line up, with the Hawks looking to combat a speedy Bombers outfit.
“We’ve got a big task this week,” GM-Football Graham Wright said.
“Essendon has been in fine form of late, so we’ll need 100 per cent effort in order to challenge them.
“They’re a quick side with plenty of depth, so we’ve brought Harry back in to provide us with some extra versatility.
“Unfortunately Jono is the unlucky one to be omitted, but it was a matter of team balance this week.”
Hawthorn boasts a good record at the MCG in 2018, winning five of their seven clashes.
However, Essendon is arguably the in-form team of the competition, conceding just two games since Round 8.
The two sides will face off at 1.45pm on Saturday afternoon, with both teams looking to firm their finals chances.
Match preview: Hawks v Bombers
ROUND 20 TEAM
Hawthorn v Essendon
MCG
Saturday 4th August, 1.45pm
B: Ryan Burton, James Frawley, Ben Stratton
HB: Jack Gunston, Kaiden Brand, Blake Hardwick
C: Ricky Henderson, Tom Mitchell, Isaac Smith
HF: Jarman Impey, Ryan Schoenmakers, Jaeger O’Meara
F: Luke Breust, Jarryd Roughead, James Worpel
R: Jonathon Ceglar, Liam Shiels, Paul Puopolo
INT: Teia Miles, Shaun Burgoyne, Harry Morrison, Brendan Whitecross
Emer: Jonathan O’Rourke, Conor Nash, Conor Glass, Marc Pittonet
