Essendon has made six changes for its Friday night blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG.

First-year Bomber Tuth Jok’s strong VFL form has been rewarded with selection in the side, setting him up for an exciting AFL debut on the big stage.

Important ruckman Tom Bellchambers will make his long-awaited return from a calf injury for his first senior game since round 15, replacing injured ruck Zac Clarke (bone stress).

Key defender Cale Hooker will also return after recovering from groin soreness, with his late replacement from last week Brandon Zerk-Thatcher making way for the experienced Bomber.

Young midfielder Dylan Clarke will celebrate his new contract with a return to the senior line-up on Friday, while fellow young Bombers Josh Begley and Jayden Laverde will also take their place in the side.

Experienced Bombers Dyson Heppell (foot), Orazio Fantasia (hip), Jake Stringer (soreness) and David Zaharakis (syndesmosis) will all miss the clash with the Magpies, which is set to start at 7:50pm.

FINAL TEAM
B – Cale Hooker, Patrick Ambrose, Marty Gleeson
HB – Conor McKenna, Michael Hurley, Mason Redman
C – Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett, Adam Saad
HF – Josh Begley, Shaun McKernan, Tuth Jok
F – Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Mitch Brown, Jayden Laverde
R – Tom Bellchambers, Dylan Shiel, Dylan Clarke
Interchange – Darcy Parish, Kyle Langford, Aaron Francis, Brayden Ham
Emergencies – Jake Long, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley

IN – Jok (debut), Bellchambers, Hooker, D. Clarke, Begley, Laverde
OUT – Zerk-Thatcher (omitted), Heppell, Fantasia, Stringer, Zaharakis, Z. Clarke (all injured)