Power forward Jon Patton headlines a number of big inclusions into the GIANTS squad to face Essendon at Spotless Stadium on Sunday as part of the AFL’s Multicultural Round.

Coach Leon Cameron has brought seven players into his 25-man squad with the final team to be named on Friday afternoon.

“It’s obviously a really big opportunity for Jon, it’s been a tough couple of years with the injuries that he’s had but it’s just great he’s back playing footy,” coach Leon Cameron said.

“He’s played four games in the NEAFL and we feel as though his fitness levels are to a stage where he can compete at AFL level.

“Overall he’s really, really confident and looking forward to playing his first game back.”

Devon Smith (knee), Rhys Palmer (hamstring) and Nick Haynes (groin) all look to have recovered from minor injuries that kept them out of last week’s narrow loss to Fremantle.

Click here to watch coach Leon Cameron tell the playing group about Patton's return

Ruckman Andrew Phillips will come in for his second game of the year at the expense of Tom Downie while young forward Cam McCarthy and tagger Tommy Bugg have also been added to the extended interchange bench.

“Phillips will come into the team, he gets an opportunity to play in the ruck,” Cameron said.

“Tom Downie has really held his own the last five weeks and played some really good footy but Andrew’s played some great footy in the NEAFL and he gets an opportunity.”

Defender Matt Buntine will miss this week after two concussions in the space of three weeks with Downie and forwards Jed Lamb and James Stewart all omitted.

Cameron said he was still weighing up a number of options before selecting his final team.

“Inside mids, how many forwards you can take in, sub. Sub is always really contentious, it shouldn’t be but it’s an interesting one for every team selecting their 22,” Cameron said.

The GIANTS are yet to beat Essendon in an AFL premiership season match but secured a 45-point win over the Bombers in the NAB Challenge earlier this year.

“Essendon are going to be really tough to beat, we haven’t beaten them in an AFL game, so we need to make sure we bring our best footy,” Cameron said.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge for us on Sunday, we’ve travelled really well back from Perth.

“We let ourselves down in a couple of areas over there but we’ve got to make sure we fix that this weekend because if not, we’ll be chasing tail all game.”

The GIANTS take on Essendon on Sunday, August 9 at 3.20pm at Spotless Stadium as part of the 2015 Toyota AFL Multicultural Round. Tickets start from $24 for an adult and $48 for a family of two adults and two kids with children under 15 free.

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GWS GIANTS v Essendon
Sunday August 9, 3.20pm
Spotless Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

GWS GIANTS

FB: Tom Scully, Phil Davis, Nick Haynes
HB: Joel Patfull, Aidan Corr, Heath Shaw
C: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly
HF: Lachie Whitfield, Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene
FF: Rhys Palmer, Andrew Phillips, Devon Smith
R: Rory Lobb, Adam Treloar, Ryan Griffen

Interchange (from): Adam Tomlinson, Jack Steele, Jon Patton, Nathan Wilson, Tommy Bugg, Callan Ward, Cam McCarthy

In: Nick Haynes, Devon Smith, Rhys Palmer, Andrew Phillips, Jon Patton, Tommy Bugg, Cam McCarthy
Out: Matt Buntine (concussion), Tom Downie, Jed Lamb, James Stewart (omitted)

The final team will be named on gwsgiants.com.au at 5pm on Friday