ESSENDON veteran Brent Stanton has paid the price for a quiet Anzac Day performance and has been axed for Sunday's clash with Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Stanton, who turns 31 on Monday, only collected 11 touches against Collingwood and is one of four changes for the Bombers.

Veteran James Kelly, youngster Aaron Francis and ruckman Matthew Leuenberger have been rested with only a five-day turnaround.

Big man Tom Bellchambers is back for his first game since round 10, 2015, while Ben Howlett, Martin Gleeson and Conor McKenna also come into the 22. 

All the round six teams

The Demons have added prized recruit Jordan Lewis, back from suspension, among five inclusions as Simon Goodwin's team attempts to square their win-loss ledger at 3-3.

Cam Pedersen will play his first game for the year after the loss of back-up ruckman Jake Spencer (shoulder) compounded All Australian star Max Gawn's long-term hamstring injury.

Tomas Bugg, Oscar McDonald and Mitch Hannan are also back for Melbourne, with spearhead Jesse Hogan (father's passing), Tim Smith (lung) and Spencer forced out.

Billy Stretch and James Harmes have been dropped.

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Under-pressure Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has decided to manage star defender Ben Reid for a vital encounter against Geelong at the MCG.

The Pies are feeling the heat at 1-4, and will give a club debut to ex-Melbourne backman Lynden Dunn. Half-back Josh Smith returns with Jackson Ramsay omitted. 

The undefeated Cats have rested mercurial forward Dan Menzel, replacing him with midfielder Sam Menegola, who is back from suspension.

Jed Bews is also in, with Jackson Thurlow making way.

Adelaide's daunting firepower will become even more explosive against Richmond with Josh Jenkins included after three games on the sidelines with sore ribs.

Defender Jake Kelly has also been recalled for the top-of-the-table Crows, while Troy Menzel has been axed and Riley Knight (hamstring) is injured. Daniel Talia has also been named despite a hamstring injury in the first minute of last week's win over Gold Coast.

The undefeated Tigers have brought back Steven Morris for his first game since a ruptured ACL in round 11 last season, coming in alongside Nick Vlastuin.

Todd Elton and Connor Menadue have been cut from the 22 which defeated Melbourne on Anzac Day eve.

Essendon v Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm AEST

ESSENDON
In: B.Howlett, T.Bellchambers, M.Gleeson, C.McKenna
Out: J.Kelly (rested), B.Stanton, M.Leuenberger (rested), A.Francis (rested)

MELBOURNE
In: J.Lewis, T.Bugg, C.Pedersen, O.McDonald, M.Hannan
Out: J.Spencer (shoulder), T.Smith (lung), J.Hogan (family), B.Stretch, J.Harmes

Geelong v Collingwood at the MCG, 3.20pm AEST

GEELONG
In: J.Bews, S.Menegola 
Out: D.Menzel (managed), J.Thurlow 

COLLINGWOOD
In: L.Dunn, J.Smith
Out: B.Reid (managed), J.Ramsay
New: Lynden Dunn (Melbourne) 

Adelaide v Richmond at Adelaide Oval, 4.10pm ACST

ADELAIDE
In: J.Jenkins, J.Kelly
Out: R.Knight (hamstring), T.Menzel

RICHMOND
In: S.Morris, N.Vlastuin
Out: T.Elton, C.Menadue