Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher will miss Saturday night’s match against the Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium through groin soreness.

The Bombers have made two changes to their team from Friday night’s win against Carlton with Will Hams (omitted) and Fletcher coming out of the side.

Defender Tayte Pears and small forward Jackson Merrett come into the side following impressive performances at VFL level last weekend.

Coach James Hird said it was a conscious decision not to risk playing the veteran defender this weekend.

“Dustin is just a little bit tight in his groins but should be right for the week after the bye,” Hird said.

Pears has been in stellar form in the VFL in recent weeks including a best on ground performance against Sandringham last Saturday at Windy Hill.

Merrett was also among the best in that game, moving up the ground into a midfield role to great effect earning him a recall for his seventh AFL match of the season.

Big man Tom Bellchambers has failed to earn a recall to the senior side.

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