ESSENDON will be down a rotation for the overwhelming majority of Friday night's pivotal clash with Melbourne, after midfielder Kobe Mutch went off with a hamstring injury.

Mutch was taken from the field in the opening minutes of the clash, nursing his left hamstring. He will take no further part in the match.

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The 21-year-old had struggled with an ankle injury over summer, missing Essendon's JLT Community Series before he was introduced for his first game of the year this week.

Friday night was just his fourth AFL game for the Bombers.

Essendon had earlier made a late change with young defender Jordan Ridley replacing David Myers in the selected squad.

Myers was ruled out with illness, while Ridley gets his opportunity to play after being an unlucky casualty following the round one thrashing at the hands of Greater Western Sydney.