Essendon has announced its team to take on the Western Bulldogs this Sunday in the round 18 clash at Etihad Stadium.

The big inclusion is ruckman Jonathan Giles who will come in for his first game for the club since being recruited in 2014.

He is joined by Jake Carlisle, Adam Cooney and Jake Melksham who all make their return from injury.

Backs:

Hooker, Steinberg, Baguley, Goddard, Carlisle, Hibberd

Mids:

Heppell, O'Brien, Stanton

Forwards:

Langford, Laverde, Melksham, Cooney, Daniher, J.Merrett

Followers:

Giles, Zaharakis, Z.Merrett

Interchange:

Ambrose, Gleeson, Gwilt and Browne

IN: Giles, Carlisle, Melksham, Cooney

OUT: McKernan (omitted), Hurley (Knee), Edwards (omitted) and Howlett (omitted)

SUB: Jackson Merrett