ESSENDON has made a late change for its clash with the Western Bulldogs, with forward Josh Begley replacing defender Matt Dea.

Begley played the Bombers' first two games of the season before being omitted for the Sunday afternoon game at Etihad Stadium, but has won a reprieve after the late change. 

Dea will miss the contest, but the Bombers will be boosted by the return of Orazio Fantasia, who has been out of action for more than a month after minor knee surgery. 

The Dogs will go into the match as selected as they attempt to turn around their horror start to the season, which has seen them lose 82 points to Greater Western Sydney in round one and by 51 points to West Coast last week.

Western Bulldogs v Essendon at Etihad Stadium, 3.20pm AEST

LATE CHANGES 

Western Bulldogs: Nil
Essendon: Matt Dea replaced in selected side by Josh Begley

FINAL INTERCHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Luke Dahlhaus, Ed Richards, Caleb Daniel, Lin Jong
Essendon: Darcy Parish, David Zaharakis, Josh Green, David Myers

FOLLOW IT LIVE: Dogs and Dons go head to head