Essendon has named full back Dustin Fletcher for tonight's game against the West Coast Eagles but a 'behind-closed-doors' fitness test at about noon will determine if he plays. As it stands, three changes have been made to the side that lost to Adelaide. Damian Cupido, Jason Winderlich and Paul Thomas were omitted. Justin Murphy, Mark Bolton and Angus Monfries come into the side.

Should Fletcher miss, it would seem likely that Sam Hunt will get another hard-earned crack at senior football. It has been a long time coming but Hunt's form at VFL level has been excellent. There also remains some doubt over Ty Zantuck after he left Subiaco Oval hobbling on what appeared to be a rolled ankle on Wednesday.

The Essendon team is:

Backs: McVeigh Fletcher Zantuck
Half Backs: M. Johnson Bradley Welsh
Centres: Stanton Peverill Murphy
Half Forwards: McPhee Lloyd Hird
Forwards: Lovett-Murray Lloyd Lovett
Rucks: Hille J. Johnson Monfries
Bench: Laycock, Solomon, Alvey, Bolton
Emergencies: Hunt Reynolds Winderlich