Essendon pair Travis Colyer and Elliott Kavanagh will play their first senior game for 2013 after being included in the side to take on Fremantle on Friday night.

Jackson Merrett (omitted) and Mark Baguley (knee soreness) make way for the pair, with Merrett the travelling emergency for the match.

Coach James Hird said he was expecting a tough challenge against Fremantle.

“A massive game for the club off two good wins and now we take on a team we have high regard for particularly the way they defend the ground and can attack with real speed through the middle of the ground,” Hird told BomberTV.

“It is going to be a fantastic game and hopefully one that we show our full character in.”

Click here to see the full team.