Essendon has named two inclusions for its round 20 clash with North Melbourne on Sunday.

James Stewart and Massimo D'Ambrosio have been in scintillating VFL form, and will play their first AFL games since round three and 17 respectively.

Ruckman Andrew Phillips has come out of the side after being managed, while Andrew McGrath (health & safety protocols) and Brayden Ham (medi sub) round out the Dons' lists of outs.

Essendon's round 20 side

Backs: James Stewart, Jayden Laverde, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher
Half-backs: Mason Redman, Jordan Ridley, Nick Hind
Centreline: Sam Durham, Jye Caldwell, Dyson Heppell
Half-forwards: Massimo D'Ambrosio, Nic Martin, Kyle Langford
Forwards: Peter Wright, Jake Stringer, Harrison Jones
Followers: Sam Draper, Zach Merrett, Dylan Shiel
Extended bench: Jake Kelly, Ben Hobbs, Will Snelling, Matt Guelfi

Emergencies: Jye Menzie, Archie Perkins, Nick Bryan, Andrew Phillips

In: Stewart, D'Ambrosio

Out: McGrath (health & safety protocols), Phillips (managed), Ham (medical sub)

Last week’s medical sub: Brayden Ham (used)