Essendon have swung five changes to its starting side to face Geelong at the MCG on Sunday.

With skipper Zach Merrett being the only confirmed return to the best 22 on Thursday, the Dons have locked in four new selections for round seven.

Small forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will play his first game since round one after impressing in the VFL over the past several weeks.

The Bombers have injected pace into their lineup with the return of Nick Hind, who last featured as sub during the Dons' round five win over Melbourne.

Exciting small defender Massimo D'Ambrosio has also been confirmed to take his place in the side, returning for his first AFL game since round three, while last week's sub Ben Hobbs has been elevated into the starting team.

Coming out of the side are small forwards Will Snelling, Alwyn Davey Jnr who have been omitted. Jye Menzie has been managed along with Dyson Heppell, while key defender Jayden Laverde has been ruled out for at least the next five weeks with a shoulder injury.

Essendon round seven team v Geelong

Ins: Merrett, McDonald-Tipungwuti, D'Ambrosio, Hind, Hobbs
Outs: Laverde (injured), Heppell (managed), Davey Jnr (omitted), Snelling (omitted), Menzie (managed)