After a standout game in Werribee colours in the VFL, Sam Wright has slotted straight back into the North Melbourne side to take on Essendon. A shoulder injury has kept the classy youngster quiet in recent weeks but there was no holding him back on Sunday as he collected 26 possessions to go with three goals.

Tigers' coach Paul Satterley predicted a return to the big league after witnessing Wright's talent first hand saying after the match, "Sam Wright will be back to senior footy soon. He won some inside footy and some outside footy and I’m sure he’ll have his name back up in lights after today’s performance."

Also back in the senior side is hard working defender Nathan Grima who has missed the past month of football with a broken finger.

Grima's inclusion couldn't come at a better time with the Bombers' ability to play tall in front of goals.

With Luke Delaney, Scott Thompson and Cam Pedersen joining him down back, the Roos should be well equipped to handle whatever is thrown at them on Saturday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.

Ben Speight is out of the side after enjoying seven straight matches, sometimes as the substitute player and will be better for the experience.

Concussion to Lachlan Hansen has kept him from playing this week but it's expected he'll be fit to return sooner rather than later.

The match is shaping as a blockbuster with both sides desperate for the premiership points.

B: Thompson, L.Delaney, Firrito
HB: Rawlings, Pedersen, Grima
C: Atley, Swallow, Wells
HF: Ziebell, Edwards, Anthony
F: Thomas, Petrie, Adams
R: Goldstein, Harvey, Bastinac

INT: Wright, McMahon, Cunnington, Greenwood
EMERG: Harper, McKinley, Speight

IN: Wright, Grima
OUT: Speight (omitted), Hansen (concussion