ESSENDON lockdown defender Jake Kelly has had to put his 150th milestone match on hold after being a late out for the clash with Sydney at the SCG.
Kelly played 110 matches for Adelaide before making the switch to Tullamarine ahead of the 2022 season.
The Bombers defence was already looking undermanned with Mason Redman suspended following the victory over Hawthorn last week, while Jordan Ridley (quad) and Kaine Baldwin (foot) are still sidelined.
Jayden Laverde will bolster the backline in his first match of the season, while Alwyn Davey jnr comes into the selected side for Kelly and will start as the Bombers' substitute. Corey Warner is the substitute for the Swans.
SWANS v BOMBERS Follow it LIVE
The Swans are 2-0 after making light work of the reigning premier Collingwood last week after running away from Melbourne in Opening Round.
Essendon showed signs of progress as it overcame a stern challenge from the Hawks, but is likely to receive a better indication of where it is at when it faces a surging Sydney in a duel that has been decided by more than 10 points only once in their past eight matches.
Darcy Parish was withdrawn from the game on Friday after feeling hamstring awareness but Sam Draper, Jayden Laverde and dashing Nick Hind are back.
Zach Reid (hamstring), Redman, Matt Guelfi (calf), Harry Jones (omitted) all come out of the side, while the Swans have brought in Corey Warner in place of Robbie Fox (calf) for the clash.
Sydney v Essendon at the SCG, 7.30pm AEDT
LATE CHANGES
Essendon: Jake Kelly (illness) replaced in selected side by Alwyn Davey jnr
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Corey Warner
Essendon: Alwyn Davey jnr
SWANS v BOMBERS Follow it LIVE
Hawthorn v Melbourne at the MCG, 4.35pm AEDT
NO LATE CHANGES
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Jack Gunston
Melbourne: Marty Hore
HAWKS v DEMONS Full match coverage and stats
North Melbourne v Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, 1.45pm AEDT
NO LATE CHANGES
SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Eddie Ford
Fremantle: Jaeger O’Meara
KANGAROOS v DOCKERS Full match coverage and stats