Essendon welcome back Craig Bird for its crucial clash against St Kilda.

The premiership player's inclusion comes at the expense of Jobe Watson, who has been rested.

Bird has been averaging 25 disposals and six tackles per game in the VFL this season.

St Kilda loses two key players with Tim Membrey (suspension) and Billy Longer (hamstring) unavailable.

Tom Hickey and first gamer Josh Battle are the replacements.

Read Robert Shaw's match preview here.

The History

R16, 2016, St Kilda 17.7 (109) d Essendon 14.14 (98) at Etihad Stadium
R9, 2016, St Kilda 16.13 (109) d Essendon 9.9 (63) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2015, St Kilda 25.12 (162) d Essendon 8.4 (52) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2015, Essendon 11.16 (82) d St Kilda 11.14 (80) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2014, St Kilda 11.15 (81) d Essendon 9.11 (65) at Etihad Stadium

Sidenote

This game marks Brendon Goddard's 100th appearance for the Bombers.

He played 205 games for St Kilda before signing with Essendon at the end of 2012.

Since then he's gone on to become a best and fairest winner and Club Captain.

Teams

St Kilda

Essendon

In: Craig Bird

Out: Jobe Watson (rested)

Milestone: Brendon Goddard 100 games for Essendon

B: Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley, Andrew McGrath

HB: Martin Gleeson, Michael Hurley, James Kelly

C: Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, Brendon Goddard

HF: James Stewart, Cale Hooker, David Zaharakis

F: Orazio Fantasia, Joe Daniher, Josh Green

R: Tom Bellchambers, Travis Colyer, Darcy Parish

I: David Myers, Craig Bird, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Conor McKenna

E: Josh Begley, Kyle Langford, Matt Dea

Key notes

- Jack Steven picked up 81 disposals against the Bombers in two games last year.

- Expect former Don Jake Carlisle to get the match up on Joe Daniher with Nathan Brown taking Cale Hooker.

- At the other end of the ground Michael Hartley shapes as the likely opponent for Josh Bruce with Michael Hurley playing on Nick Riewoldt.