Melbourne have called up forward Matthew Bate and defender Matthew Warnock for their first games of the AFL season.

They are among four changes for Sunday's MCG meeting with Adelaide, with Ricky Petterd and Addam Maric to play their first games since round two.

Experienced defender Jared Rivers is out with an ankle injury, while Cale Morton, Stefan Martin and Jamie Bennell have all been dropped.

The Crows have made three changes, with livewire midfielder Rory Sloane to play his first match since breaking his jaw and thumb in the opening round.

Jared Petrenko and Chris Schmidt have also been recalled.

Phil Davis (shoulder) and Richard Tambling (suspension) are out and Brodie Martin has been dropped.

Essendon has regained veteran backman Dustin Fletcher from a knee injury for Sunday's Etihad Stadium match against West Coast.

The Eagles have lost Patrick McGinnity to illness and have dropped Andrew Gaff.

Forward Gerrick Weedon will make his AFL debut, with defender Will Schofield the other inclusion.

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