Despite having won its first three games of the 2000 season, Essendon selectors today showed there will be no room for complacency by dropping three players for this weekend's match with Hawthorn.

Sean Denham, Blake Caracella and Mark Fraser will all return to the VFL side this weekend to make way for Mark Mercuri, Michael Prior and Gary Moorcroft.

Star forward Dean Rioli will again play in the reserves with selectors feeling he needs more match time before he will be ready to slot back into the senior side. Rioli has been named in the centre for the VFL side.

The ruthless attitude from selectors is a clear message than any slight drop in form won't be tolerated with Denham, Caracella and Fraser by no means having played poorly in Perth.

It also sends a clear message to those players who perform well in the reserves that they will be given the chance to cement a senior spot at some time during the year.

The return of Mercuri and Moorcroft certainly strengthens Essendon's already powerful line-up in front of goals. The selected forward six of James Hird, Scott Lucas, Mark Mercuri, Michael Long, Matthew Lloyd and Steven Alessio looks exceptionally strong.

Caracella, Danny Jacobs and Fraser have been named as emergencies for the match.

In the VFL team, Aaron Henneman has been included after missing the past two weeks with a groin strain. He has been named at full back.

Mark Fraser has been named on the half back-line, Sean Denham as rover and Blake Caracella on the half forward-line. Marcus Pickett returns to the side after missing last week because of the flu.

The VFL side plays Werribee at Werribee this Sunday afternoon.