Ben Howlett will play his first game for Essendon in 573 days with the tough midfielder recalled to the Bombers side to take on Brisbane.
The 28 year old comes into the side to replace Josh Green who injured his hamstring in the win over Hawthorn.
Essendon Coach John Worsfold said Howlett would replace Green in the small forward role.
“It’s pretty much a like for like swap,” Worsfold said.
“Ben has played a fair bit of his footy as a small forward.
“He’s changed his body shape a little bit compared to previous seasons, he’s lost a lot of weight, he’s running as well as he ever has but he’s still a really hard body.
“We’re confident he’s going to have a big impact in that role.”
The match also marks a significant milestone for Brent Stanton, with the midfielder named for his 250th match.
“Brent has been a really consistent player for the Essendon Football Club for a long period of time,” Worsfold said.
“For quite a while there he was probably the main player that the opposition targeted to try to quell his influence on games when he was really running hard and finding a heap of the football.
“His ability to maintain his consistency over that longer period has been outstanding.”
The Bombers will be looking to record their second win of the season with they run out on to the Gabba to take on the Lions.
Worsfold said the team enjoyed last week’s win over Hawthorn, but shifted their focus quickly to the match against Brisbane.
“We got on to that pretty much straight after the game,” he said.
“We certainly acknowledged what a great win it was and we enjoyed it together but our aim is to play consistent footy week in, week out no matter the scenario and no matter where we’re playing and that’s a great challenge for us.
“To get on the road is something we’re really excited about because it’s an area we need to improve over recent seasons.
“Our aim is to start with that this week.”
Brisbane vs. Essendon
Saturday 1 April
6:25pm (AEST)
The Gabba (QLD)
In: Ben Howlett
Out: Josh Green (hamstring)
Milestone: Brent Stanton (250 games)
B: Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley, Brent Stanton
HB: Brendon Goddard, Michael Hurley, Patrick Ambrose
C: Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, James Kelly
HF: Travis Colyer, Cale Hooker, Kyle Langford
F: Orazio Fantasia, Joe Daniher, Darcy Parish
R: Shaun McKernan, Jobe Watson, Ben Howlett
I: Andrew McGrath, Martin Gleeson, David Zaharakis, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
E: James Stewart, Heath Hocking, Matt Dea
