The six changes made by Gold Coast have been matched by Essendon ahead of Saturday night’s clash at Metricon Stadium.
Coming off a 43-point defeat at the hands of the ladder-leading Adelaide Crows, the Bombers will be looking for a win to push back into the top-eight.
READ: SUNS out to dash Dons' finals dream
Midfielder Zach Merrett returns from a one-week suspension, joining Craig Bird, Tom Bellchambers, Michael Hartley and Mark Baguley as inclusions into the team.
Josh Begley is in line to make his debut, having been named on the interchange bench.
Experienced midfielder Jobe Watson, who announced his retirement last week, will be managed and won’t take to the field.
Key defender Michael Hurley was ruled out with a calf injury on Thursday afternoon, while ruckman Matthew Leuenberger has succumbed to an ankle complaint.
Ben Howlett, Travis Colyer and Matt Dea have all been omitted from the team.
READ: View the Gold Coast SUNS Round 22 Team
Essendon Round 22 AFL Premiership team
B: Andrew McGrath, Michael Hartley, James Kelly
HB: Brendon Goddard, Patrick Ambrose, Conor McKenna
C: Zach Merrett, Craig Bird, Dyson Heppell
HF: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Cale Hooker, Martin Gleeson
F: Jayden Laverde, Joe Daniher, James Stewart
FOLL: Tom Bellchambers, David Zaharakis, Darcy Parish
INT: Mark Baguley, Josh Green, Josh Begley, David Myers
EMG: Ben Howlett, Shaun McKernan, Matt Dea
IN: Josh Begley, Craig Bird, Tom Bellchambers, Michael Hartley, Mark Baguley, Zach Merrett.
OUT: Jobe Watson (managed), Matthew Leuenberger (ankle), Michael Hurley (calf), Ben Howlett, Travis Colyer, Matt Dea (omitted)
