Carlton have axed three players as they try to turn around their floundering AFL season on Sunday night against arch-rivals Essendon.
The Bombers will welcome back last year’s club best and fairest winner Peter Wright for his first senior game of the season, but lose midfielder Dylan Shiel to the ankle injury he suffered in Sunday’s tight win over North Melbourne.
The Blues dropped Jack Silvagni, Lachie O’Brien and Zac Fisher, as Paddy Dow was confirmed as the substitute.
Silvagni played the first 10 games of the season, but was dropped for round 11 and recalled for last week’s loss to Melbourne, when he was substituted out of the game.
Jack Martin will play his first game since round one, while ruckman Marc Pittonet returns from a hand injury and Ed Curnow also is back in the senior team.
Wright had a shoulder injury in the pre-season that needed surgery and ruckman Andrew Phillips makes way for him.
GWS defender Nick Haynes will return from concussion for Saturday’s Hobart game against North Melbourne, with the Giants dropping No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman.
The Kangaroos recalled Paul Curtis as co-captain Jy Simpkin and fellow midfielder Hugh Greenwood drop out of the team because of concussions.