Melbourne have dropped three players in the wake of their round-four AFL shocker for the Anzac Eve clash against Richmond.

The Demons have made four changes in all, losing Jordan Lewis to a broken hand, while Richmond have lost three players to injury and suspension.

As expected, Essendon small forward Orazio Fantasia is out of the Anzac Day blockbuster against Collingwood, who are unchanged.

Jackson Merrett will come in for Fantasia and play his first AFL game since round 23, 2016.

The Demons reacted to their appalling loss to Hawthorn two weekends ago by dropping Sam Frost, Tom Bugg and newcomer Bayley Fritsch.

Billy Stretch, Dom Tyson, Jayden Hunt and Sam Weideman are the inclusions.

Richmond already lost Jack Graham to suspension and also have ruled out Nick Vlastuin (calf) and Josh Caddy (hamstring soreness).

Nathan Broad is in the senior team for the first time this regular season, after serving a club suspension.

Sam Lloyd and exciting newcomer Jack Higgins are the other recalls.

Bombers coach John Worsfold had told SEN radio on Monday morning that small forward Fantasia was set to lose a race against time to be fit to play.

“He’s pushing to try and get up but at this stage it looks like he’ll probably miss,” he said.

The 22-year-old has already played on two Anzac Day games, including a critical four-goal haul last year that helped the Bombers to victory.

Fantasia had a slow start to the year, returning in round three after knee surgery in the pre-season.