CROWS playmaker Andrew McLeod and Blues speedster Andrew Walker make welcome returns from injury and Shannon Grant is back for the Roos, to highlight Thursday's team announcements for round 16.
But Swans forward Barry Hall will cool his heels for another week as he serves a club-imposed suspension.
Grant will return to the senior side after serving his one-week sanction set by North Melbourne.
Corey Jones will also play in what shapes as the club’s most important match of 2008 – against the Magpies on Friday night.
While the pair will add potency to Dean Laidley’s side, regular full-forward Nathan Thompson has made way.
Thompson, who has returned this year from a knee reconstruction, had little impact against Port Adelaide last week, while Blake Grima is the other omission as the side strives to stay in touch with the top eight.
Collingwood is in good form and has made no changes to its team.
The Magpies beat Adelaide by 32 points last week and coach Mick Malthouse hasn’t felt the need to alter his line-up.
Ruckman Josh Fraser has not been included in the squad, despite playing in the VFL last weekend in his recovery from a posterior cruciate ligament strain.
As expected, Geelong will be without midfielders Cameron Ling and Gary Ablett for Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with the Western Bulldogs at Skilled Stadium.
Ablett was unable to overcome his ankle injury while Ling’s facial fracture will sideline him for at least one and as many as four matches.
The Cats made just two changes to the side that belted Fremantle last week.
James Kelly has been selected in the 18 after missing the win with a calf injury, while Brent Prismall is the other inclusion after starring in the VFL.
The Western Bulldogs also made two changes as they prepare for their biggest challenge of the season.
Rodney Eade’s side regains two key players, with star midfielder Ryan Griffen returning after missing last week because of family reasons.
Forward Scott Welsh (back soreness) has also got the nod but is likely to have a hard task against champion Cat Matthew Scarlett.
Promising youngster Josh Hill and tall defender Cam Wight both miss and are named as emergencies.
Richmond has stuck with the same 22 that travelled west to thump the Eagles, despite Will Thursfield’s recovery from a hamstring injury.
The key defender has been missing since round 11 and appears on the emergency list with Daniel Jackson and Alex Rance for Saturday’s clash with the Bombers at the MCG.
Essendon has recalled Ricky Dyson and Jarrod Atkinson to replace the suspended Andrew Lovett and Mark McVeigh, who is out with a knee injury.
Another East Fremantle player will join AFL ranks with mature-age recruit Bradd Dalziell to make his debut for the Brisbane Lions this weekend.
Dalziell, a forward/midfielder, is one of three changes for the Lions' clash against West Coast on Saturday night.
Jed Adcock (quad) and Matthew Leuenberger (knee) have succumbed to injury, while Troy Selwood has been omitted.
Jason Roe and Scott Harding also come in.
West Coast has made five changes with experienced duo Chad Fletcher and Brent Staker returning. Youngsters Eric Mackenzie, Jamie McNamara and first-year draftee Scott Selwood are also included.
Among the forced changes are Daniel Kerr (suspension), Adam Hunter (knee, shoulder) and Brett Jones (knee), while Steven Armstrong and Michael Braun have been omitted.
There are two changes for St Kilda with Aaron Fiora and Adam Schneider replacing Jarryd Allen and James Gwilt for Saturday night’s match against the Hawks at Telstra Dome.
Hawthorn has regained classy runner Chance Bateman, but loses veteran Shane Crawford (knee tendonitis).
Walker will play his first game of the year for Carlton after the pacy utility proved he has fully recovered from pre-season shoulder surgery.
The 22-year-old goes straight into the starting 18 to face the Swans, and so does key defender Mark Austin after a string of good performances at VFL level.
Shaun Hampson, Darren Pfeiffer and Adam Hartlett have been added to an extended bench for Sunday’s match at Telstra Dome with defenders Joe Anderson and Steven Browne omitted.
The Sydney Swans have named elevated rookie Matt O’Dwyer on a wing for his debut and look set to regain Nick Malceski, who appears on a seven-man bench along with inclusions Heath Grundy and Ben Mathews.
The suspended Amon Buchanan is the only out with coach Paul Roos resisting the temptation to recall spearhead Hall.
Port Adelaide has added four players for Sunday’s showdown with cross-town rivals the Crows.
Brendon Lade, Steven Salopek, Michael Wilson and Paul Stewart are all a chance to resume with Damon White (hamstring) the only casualty of the side that was narrowly defeated by the Kangaroos.
McLeod makes a welcome return from a knee strain for injury-hit Adelaide, who will have to cover the extended losses of Brett Burton and Jason Porplyzia.
Mercurial forward Luke Jericho has earned a recall, named at full-forward, while former Kangaroo Brad Moran is a chance to make his debut for his new club after being named with David Mackay, Ken McGregor and Andrew Otten.
Ruckman Jonathon Griffin has been dropped from the side that fell to Collingwood.
Fremantle will make at least three changes for its Subiaco clash against the Demons with Dean Solomon (suspended), Rhys Palmer (general soreness) and Clayton Hinkley (omitted) coming out of the side defeated by the Cats.
Veteran Shaun McManus and youngster Josh Head go straight into the 18 with Ryan Murphy, Brock O’Brien, Kepler Bradley and Paul Duffield added to an extended bench.
Dangerous Melbourne forward Aaron Davey is back for the clash with Adem Yze, Jeff White and James McDonald on a seven-man bench.
Brad Green is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
