Essendon Names Five Changes For Eagles Game Today at Optus Stadium

Essendon named five changes for eagles game today, bringing Elijah Tsatas, Will Setterfield, Saad El-Hawli, Nik Cox and Max Kondogiannis into its side for Sunday night at Optus Stadium. The reshaped lineup arrives before a 7:20 PM AEST start against the Eagles.

Tsatas and Setterfield return

Tsatas and Setterfield are both back after being withdrawn from last week's VFL match as a precaution. Their return gives Essendon two midfield options back in the senior team and changes the look of the side before the trip west.

El-Hawli also comes in after a full recovery from a broken collarbone. Cox has been selected after a strong VFL performance, giving Essendon another player rewarded through form rather than a simple shuffle.

Kondogiannis gets his fourth game

Kondogiannis has been named to play his fourth game of senior football. For a draftee, that is the clearest sign in this selection group that Essendon is using the Eagles match to lean on both returning players and players who have earned another chance through recent form.

The five-ins move also comes as Ben Jacobs and Ben Robbins have departed the Essendon Football Club, sharpening the turnover around the list as the club settles its side for Sunday night. With the team finalised, the next step is straightforward for anyone following Essendon: watch how the returning midfield pair and the two younger selections fit into the opening group at Optus Stadium.