Dean Solomon will miss the Bombers Round 7 match against Sydney this weekend, with a corked thigh. Solomon is one of three forced changes along with skipper James Hird (hamstring) and Ben Haynes (arm). Ted Richards and Joel Reynolds will return to the Bendigo Bombers having been omitted from the side.

Jason Winderlich, Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson and Nathan Lovett-Murray have all been rewarded for their good VFL form with senior selection. It will be Watson’s first senior game for the season, while Kepler Bradley returns to the side after being a late withdrawal last weekend.

The Essendon team is:

Backs: Bullen Zantuck Welsh
Half Backs: M. Johnson Fletcher Bradley
Centres: Bolton J. Johnson McPhee
Half Forwards: Lucas Watson Winderlich
Forwards: Lovett Lloyd Murphy
Rucks: Laycock Peverill McVeigh
Bench: Henneman Rioli Lovett-Murray Stanton
Emergencies: Richards Thomas Monfries

In: Winderlich Watson Lovett-Murray Stanton Bradley
Out: Richards Reynolds (omitted) Hird Haynes Solomon (injured)