Jackson Merrett, Matt Dea and Kobe Mutch are the three players named in the original 29 man squad that won't play in today's game.

The final 26 man line-up includes draftees Dylan Clarke, Josh Begley and Jordan Ridley as well as Joe Daniher, Brent Stanton and Heath Hocking who will make their first appearances of the pre-season.

Gold Coast vs. Essendon

Sunday February 26

3:40pm (EST)/ 4:40pm (AEDT)

Harrup Park Country Club (Mackay, QLD)

Teams:

ESSENDON
1. Andrew McGrath, 3. Darcy Parish, 4. Jobe Watson, 5. Brent Stanton, 6. Joe Daniher, 8. Martin Gleeson, 9. Brendon Goddard, 14. Jordan Ridley, 15. Josh Green, 16. Joshua Begley, 17. James Stewart, 18. Michael Hurley, 22. Matthew Leuenberger, 27. Mason Redman, 28. Mitch Brown, 30. Kyle Langford, 32. Travis Colyer, 33. Jayden Laverde, 34. Jake Long, 36. Michael Hartley, 37. Dylan Clarke, 39. Heath Hocking, 40. Ben Howlett, 43. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, 44. Shaun McKernan, 45. Conor McKenna

Changes:

IN: Stanton, Daniher, Ridley, Begley, Redman, Clarke, Hartley, McKenna, Hocking, Long, Laverde

OUT: Heppell, Z.Merrett, Zaharakis, Baguley, Myers, Bird, Ambrose, Kelly, Fantasia, Dea, J.Merrett

GOLD COAST
1. Pearce Hanley, 2. Jarrad Grant, 4. Jack Martin, 6. Alex Sexton, 7. Jesse Lonergan, 8. Brayden Fiorini, 10. Kade Kolodjashnij, 11. Touk Miller, 13. Callum Ah Chee, 14. Mitch Hallahan, 15. Dan Currie, 16. Rory Thompson, 17. Steven May, 20. Michael Barlow, 21. Jack Leslie, 23. Sean Lemmens, 24. David Swallow, 26. Matthew Shaw, 27. Ben Ainsworth, 30. Peter Wright, 31. Keegan Brooksby, 32. Brandon Matera, 34. Mackenzie Willis, 36. Josh Schoenfeld, 38. Jesse Joyce, 39. Ryan Davis, 41. Will Brodie, 42. Adam Saad, 44. Darcy Macpherson