MELBOURNE has made two late changes for its clash with Port Adelaide, while Gold Coast has also switched up its line-up for Saturday night's clash against Essendon.

The Demons have lost Jake Bowey and also youngster Taj Woewodin (illness) for the must-win encounter at the MCG. 

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Jake Melksham will be the sub for Simon Goodwin's men, while Quinton Narkle is Port Adelaide's sub.

The Suns, meanwhile, have taken Lloyd Johnston out of the side and included Sean Lemmens in the 22. 

Essendon (11-8-1) has breathed fresh life into its campaign with a stirring comeback that led to victory by the narrowest of margins over the in-form Fremantle last week, and it hosts Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium.

It might have been the Bombers’ third triumph in nine matches but it was enough to keep them within striking distance of the top eight while leaving this as a much-win contest ahead of clashes with the Swans and Lions.

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Gold Coast (9-11) has fallen out of finals contention as its horror streak of playing away from home venues now stretches to all 10 matches this season as well as its final seven last year.

But the Suns can be a different side when playing as the hosts and stunned the Bombers just nine weeks ago to set them off on their own alarming run.

Ben Hobbs gets a chance as the sub for the Bombers with Xavier Duursma out with a hamstring injury, while the Suns made four changes at selection, including Jed Walter, Alex Davies, Jake Rogers and Connor Budarick for axed quartet Jack Lukosius, Malcolm Rosas jnr, Brayden Fiorini and Joel Jeffrey.

Essendon v Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium, 7.30pm AEST

LATE CHANGES
Gold Coast: Lloyd Johnston (managed) replaced in selected side by Sean Lemmens

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Ben Hobbs
Gold Coast: David Swallow

Melbourne (10-10) has its finals hopes hanging by a thread as it pays the price for a mounting injury toll while dropping three matches in a row ahead of hosting Port Adelaide.

The Demons now need three wins, a healthy percentage boost and for other results to go their way, but can only bolster their chances with an upset over the Power and with the Suns and Pies still to come.

Port Adelaide (13-7) has surged into the top four for the first time since round 13 and now has a double chance in its own hands following a 112-point thumping of ladder leaders Sydney. The Power can even start eyeing a top-two finish that would ensure they have two home finals, especially with the wounded Demons and Crows to come ahead of a potentially pivotal clash with the Dockers.

Adam Tomlinson and Christian Salem are in for the Demons, with Steven May a key out with a rib injury, while the Power have added Todd Marshall in a like-for-like replacement for the injured Mitch Georgiades.

Melbourne v Port Adelaide at the MCG, 7.30pm AEST

LATE CHANGES
Melbourne: Taj Woewodin (illness) replaced in selected side by Jack Billings; Jake Bowey replaced in selected side by Blake Howes

SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Jake Melksham
Port Adelaide: Quinton Narkle

Fremantle v Geelong at Optus Stadium, 2.35pm AWST

LATE CHANGE
Fremantle: Sean Darcy replaced in the selected side by Matt Taberner
Geelong: Gary Rohan replaced in the selected side by Oisin Mullin

SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Karl Worner
Geelong: Oisin Mullin

DOCKERS v CATS Full match coverage and stats

Brisbane v Greater Western Sydney at the Gabba, 1.45pm AEST

NO LATE CHANGES

SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Jaxon Prior
Greater Western Sydney: Conor Stone

LIONS v GIANTS Full match coverage and stats

North Melbourne v West Coast at Blundstone Arena, 1.45pm AEST

NO LATE CHANGES

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Zane Duursma
West Coast: Andrew Gaff

KANGAROOS v EAGLES Full match coverage and stats