Essendon key defender Ben McKay has been dropped to the VFL following a string of poor performances.
The former Roo had become a target for upset Bombers fans, with the crowd giving McKay Bronx cheers during the club's Round 8 match against Brisbane at home last weekend.
Fellow veteran Bomber Jade Gresham has also been omitted from the side after his seven disposal and zero goal performance against the Lions.
Star midfielder Jye Caldwell will miss the club's date with the Giants at ENGIE Stadium after he didn't get up from an ankle injury, while Saad El-Hawli will miss with a broken collarbone.
Young Bombers Max Kondogiannis and Thomas Edwards have also been dropped.
Calls have been growing for a while for Essendon coach Brad Scott to drop McKay after lacklustre performances and efforts in recent weeks.
McKay has been a polarising figure in the AFL in recent years after he made a six-year $5 million move from North Melbourne to Essendon at the end of 2023. Fans and pundits argue he hasn't yet lived up to that figure.
Greater Western Sydney has made four changes of its own for the clash with star forward Jesse Hogan missing due to a hip injury.
Meanwhile, young winger Ryan Angwin (concussion), mobile defender Leek Aleer (ankle) and midfielder Xavier O'Halloran will also miss due to injury.
