Essendon will have a club debutant in its mix this weekend, with Will Snelling set to play his first senior game for the Bombers.

Snelling's inclusion is one of four changes for the club ahead of its Friday night clash with Adelaide.

Captain Dyson Heppell returns to the side after overcoming a foot injury, along with defenders Michael Hartley and Patrick Ambrose.

Orazio Fantasia (hip) and Zac Clarke (illness) join Michael Hurley (AC joint) on the sidelines, while Jayden Laverde has been managed.

Essendon's Round 17 side is...

IN: Snelling, Heppell, Ambrose, Hartley
OUT: Hurley (shoulder), Fantasia (hip), Clarke (illness), Laverde (managed)

B: Redman, Hooker, Gleeson
HB: McKenna, Hartley, Saad
C: McGrath, Merrett, Zaharakis
HF: Guelfi, Francis, McDonald-Tipungwuti
F: Parish, Brown, Clarke
R: McKernan, Snelling, Shiel
Int: Ambrose, Stringer, Heppell, Langford
Emg: Zerk-Thatcher, Begley, Laverde, Ham