FREMANTLE has pulled a selection shock by recalling feisty veteran Hayden Ballantyne for Sunday's must-win showdown with the Western Bulldogs.
Multiple hamstring setbacks and indifferent WAFL form has kept Ballantyne out of the line-up since his first injury in round one, but the 32-year-old is back as the rebuilding Dockers desperately try to stay in the finals hunt.
Fellow small forward Lachlan Schultz is also in for his fourth career game as Ross Lyon plots ways to counter the Bulldogs' hard-running defence and stop an alarming scoring drop-off in recent weeks.
Superstar skipper Nat Fyfe (elbow) has been confirmed to return, while hard-working small Sam Switkowksi, Ethan Hughes and Cam McCarthy have been dropped.
The Dockers will again take three ruckmen into the match with Rory Lobb overcoming a shoulder injury and warhorse Aaron Sandilands named alongside protege Sean Darcy.
ALL THE TEAMS Check 'em out
The Bulldogs bring back Ed Richards from a tight hamstring after earlier this week announcing son-of-a-gun Rhylee West would debut, with 36-year-old defender Dale Morris set for his first game for 2019 after another partial ACL tear.
Superboot Matt Suckling and young forward Josh Schache make way through injury, while Roarke Smith has been axed for the virtual elimination game with both sides on eight wins.
At Geelong, tough midfielder Scott Selwood is in for his first appearance this year alongside Jack Henry and ruck Zac Smith, who replaces Rhys Stanley (omitted).
Speedster Gary Rohan has been managed from the clash with his former side Sydney at the SCG, while damaging half-back Zach Tuohy has also been rested by the League leaders.
The Swans have made a single change after their young side went down in a gritty one-point defeat to the Dockers in Perth, regaining defender Jordan Dawson from suspension for injured Will Hayward.
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
Essendon is unbackable favourite to tighten its grip on a finals spot against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium and has brought back ruckman Zac Clarke, Jayden Laverde and Ben McNiece for the trip north.
Irish speedster Conor McKenna has returned home for a wedding, while skipper Dyson Heppell (foot) and Michael Hartley (omitted) also make way.
The Suns have regained dasher Lachie Weller (illness) and tough nut Anthony Miles (suspension) as they seek to end a 13-game losing streak.
Will Brodie misses with a hamstring, while young tall Charlie Ballard has been axed.
Friday, July 26
Collingwood v Richmond at the MCG, 7.50pm AEST
COLLINGWOOD
In: J.Daicos, J.Elliott, M.Scharenberg, J.Thomas
Out: B.Sier (calf), J.Aish (shoulder), B.Crocker, F.Appleby
RICHMOND
No changes
Saturday, July 27
Hawthorn v Brisbane at University of Tasmania Stadium, 1.45pm AEST
HAWTHORN
In: G.Birchall
Out: J.Impey (knee)
BRISBANE
In: J.Walker
Out: H.Andrews (suspended)
Carlton v Adelaide at the MCG, 2.10pm AEST
CARLTON
In: A.Phillips
Out: M.Kreuzer (managed)
ADELAIDE
In: T.Stengle, P.Wilson, A.Otten
Out: A.Keath (managed), E.Betts, H.Greenwood
West Coast v North Melbourne at Optus Stadium, 2.35pm AWST
WEST COAST
In: W.Schofield
Out: T.Cole
NORTH MELBOURNE
In: T.Garner, L.Davies-Uniacke, P.Ahern
Out: S.Thompson (ruptured testicle), K.Turner (rested), N.Hrovat
St Kilda v Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, 7.25pm AEST
ST KILDA
In: B.Long
Out: M.Parker
MELBOURNE
In: O.Baker, T.Smith, O.McDonald
Out: S.May (hamstring), B.Preuss, J.Lockhart
Port Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST
PORT ADELAIDE
In: P.Ryder, J.Garner
Out: S.Motlop, C.Dixon
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
In: P.Davis, A.Kennedy, J.Hately
Out: J.Stein, L.Keeffe, B.Deledio (managed)
Sunday, July 28
Western Bulldogs v Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm AEST
WESTERN BULLDOGS
In: D.Morris, R.West, E.Richards
Out: M.Suckling (hip), J.Schache (concussion), R.Smith
New: Rhylee West (Calder 18)
FREMANTLE
In: N.Fyfe, H.Ballantyne, L.Schultz
Out: C.McCarthy, E.Hughes, S.Switkowski
Sydney v Geelong at the SCG, 3.20pm AEST
SYDNEY
In: J.Dawson
Out: W.Hayward (hip)
GEELONG
In: Z.Smith, J.Henry, S.Selwood
Out: Z.Tuohy (managed), G.Rohan (managed), R.Stanley
Gold Coast v Essendon at Metricon Stadium, 4.40pm AEST
GOLD COAST
In: L.Weller, A.Miles
Out: W.Brodie (hamstring), C.Ballard
ESSENDON
In: Z.Clarke, J.Laverde, B.McNiece
Out: D.Heppell (foot), C.McKenna (personal leave), M.Hartley
