ESSENDON has suffered a significant blow on the eve of its huge Anzac Day clash with Collingwood, with star forward Orazio Fantasia a late withdrawal.
Fantasia has failed to recover from an illness he was struggling with during the week and has been replaced in the final team by diminutive midfielder Darcy Parish.
The Bombers had already brought back two big names for the significant occasion, with Devon Smith and David Zaharakis both returning after missing last week's victory.
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Parish had initially made way, along with fellow youngster Brayden Ham.
The Magpies have made two enforced changes, with forward Jamie Elliott and defender James Aish both ruled out of the clash due to respective injury issues.
Will Hoskin-Elliott returns for his first game of the year, alongside Levi Greenwood.
Essendon v Collingwood at the MCG, 3.20pm AEST
LATE CHANGES
Essendon: Orazio Fantasia (illness) replaced in the selected side by Darcy Parish
Collingwood: Nil
FINAL INTERCHANGES
Essendon: David Zaharakis, Jordan Ridley, David Myers, Matt Guelfi
Collingwood: Adam Treloar, Callum Brown, Levi Greenwood, Will Hoskin-Elliott
