- David Zaharakis and Jake Carlisle named despite injury concerns
- Tom Hawkins picked for Cats along with Mathew Stokes
- Lions skipper Tom Rockliff returns after missing only two games
PORT Adelaide has received a huge boost for its Anzac Day clash against reigning premiers Hawthorn, with ruckman Matthew Lobbe named in the Power team for Saturday night's crunch game.
Other key players who could return in round four include Tom Hawkins (Geelong), Tom Rockliff and Matthew Leuenberger (Brisbane Lions), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) and Charlie Dixon (Gold Coast) for his first game this year.
But star North Melbourne onballer Daniel Wells (Achilles) will miss another week, although Jack Ziebell (bruised lungs) has been named for the pivotal clash against the Cats in Geelong on Sunday.
The Power have sorely missed their No.1 ruckman in the opening rounds, with recruit Paddy Ryder left to shoulder the ruck load after sitting out the NAB Challenge.
Lobbe injured his quadricep before round one and is yet to play this season, but the 200cm big man underwent a fitness test on Wednesday evening and is set to be unleashed against the Hawks at the Adelaide Oval.
Port has also brought back veteran Kane Cornes, who was rested for last week's gripping eight-point win over North Melbourne, for star youngster Ollie Wines (dislocated wrist), while Brendon Ah Chee has been dropped.
Speedy wingman Bradley Hill is a timely inclusion for Hawthorn against the hard-running Power.
Hill was a late withdrawal from last week's 70-point win over the Western Bulldogs due to the lingering effects of having his head whacked into the MCG turf in round three.
The Hawks have omitted youngster Jed Anderson in their only change.
In Saturday night's other big clash between two unbeaten teams, Fremantle has brought back Tendai Mzungu for its meeting with the Sydney Swans.
Mzungu comes into the side at the expense of Hayden Crozier (omitted), while the Swans have also made one change with small defender Nick Smith coming in for Dean Towers.
Meanwhile, Courtenay Dempsey will play his first game for Essendon this season in the traditional Anzac Day blockbuster against Collingwood.
David Zaharakis has been picked for the Anzac Day blockbuster. Picture: AFL Media
Dempsey and youngster Will Hams come into the side which defeated Carlton last round, while Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney (hamstring) and Jason Ashby (omitted) are out.
Despite serious concerns on their fitness, midfielder David Zaharakis and forward Jake Carlisle have been named.
The Magpies have made one change, with Patrick Karnezis cut in favour of Taylor Adams, who returns after a foot injury.
Injury-hit Geelong has added five players to its squad after holding off a spirited Gold Coast last Sunday – including spearhead Hawkins. Whether the big man plays will be decided closer to game time after the death of his mother last weekend.
Remarkably, the Cats have named Mathew Stokes (Achilles strain) despite ruling the midfielder out earlier in the week.
However key defender Tom Lonergan (concussion) joins Jimmy Bartel (medial) as a confirmed out, while Jared Rivers, Billie Smedts, George Horlin-Smith and tall defender - and possible debutant - Jake Kolodjashnij have been added to the squad.
The Cats host North Melbourne, which has included Ziebell, Jamie Macmillan (Achilles), Brad McKenzie and Trent Dumont.
After the Dogs' bruising 70-point loss to Hawthorn, rising star Marcus Bontempelli and veteran Matthew Boyd are back for Sunday's clash with Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.
Luckless Clay Smith is also in the extended squad and might play only his second game since round 16, 2013, after a torrid run with injury and illness, including two knee reconstructions and salmonella poisoning.
Easton Wood (hamstring) is back and Bailey Dale – pick 45 in last year's NAB AFL Draft – is a chance to make his debut. Dependable backman Dale Morris (pectoral) and gun midfielder Mitch Wallis (back) are out of the side.
Phil Walsh's Crows have brought in Mitch Grigg, Jarryd Lyons and Matt Crouch, with no omissions at this stage.
Brisbane Lions skipper Rockliff is one of six changes in the squad to face West Coast at the Gabba on Sunday.
Young ruckman Matthew Leuenberger has won a reprieve, while Mitch Golby, Ryan Lester, Nick Robertson and Tom Cutler are also in.
Lions coach Justin Leppitsch has culled veteran defender Matt Maguire, while Sam Mayes (foot) and Jaden McGrath (foot) are forced outs.
Jeremy McGovern (knee) has been picked for the Eagles, while Jamie Bennell, Fraser McInnes and Brant Colledge come into the squad, with no omissions yet.
Three changes have been forced on Richmond, with Chris Newman (back), Chris Knights (hamstring) and Troy Chaplin (calf) out of Friday night's team to play Melbourne at the MCG.
Midfielder Viv Michie has earned a recall for the Demons, with defender Sam Frost (foot) out injured.
Meanwhile, mature-age Carlton recruit Blaine Boekhorst will make his debut for the rebuilding Blues in Wellington against St Kilda, while Jason Tutt has earned a recall and Dylan Buckley is in for his first game this year.
The Blues will field a young side with experienced players Chris Yarran (suspended) and Chris Judd (hamstring) forced out.
The Saints' only change is Tom Curren in for Maverick Weller (calf).
Imposing Suns forward Charlie Dixon and Alex Sexton come into the team for the battle of the expansion clubs against Greater Western Sydney in Canberra.
The Suns have dropped Daniel Gorringe and Sam Day, while the Giants have swapped James Stewart for young ruckman Andrew Phillips.
All the ins and outs for round four
Friday, April 24
Richmond v Melbourne at the MCG, 7.50pm AEST
Richmond
In: M.Arnot, M.McDonough, N.Drummond
Out: C.Newman (back), C.Knights (hamstring), T.Chaplin (calf)
New: Nathan Drummond (Murray U18)
Melbourne
In: V.Michie
Out: S.Frost (foot)
Saturday, April 25
St Kilda v Carlton at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 1.10pm NZST (11.10am AEST)
St Kilda
In: T.Curren
Out: M.Weller (calf)
Carlton
In: J.Tutt, D.Buckley, B.Boekhorst
Out: C.Judd (back), C.Yarran (suspension), C.Byrne (hamstring)
New: Blaine Boekhorst (Swan Districts)
Essendon v Collingwood at the MCG, 2.40pm AEST
Essendon
In: C.Dempsey, W.Hams
Out: A.Cooney (hamstring), J.Ashby
Collingwood
In: T.Adams
Out: P.Karnezis
Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast at StarTrack Oval, 5.40pm AEST
GWS
In: J.Stewart
Out: A.Phillips
Gold Coast
In: C.Dixon, A.Sexton
Out:D.Gorringe, S.Day
Port Adelaide v Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST
Port Adelaide
In: M.Lobbe, K.Cornes
Out: O.Wines (wrist), B.Ah Chee
Hawthorn
In: B.Hill
Out: J.Anderson
Fremantle v Sydney Swans at Domain Stadium, 6.45pm AWST
Fremantle
In: T.Mzungu
Out: H.Crozier
Sydney Swans
In: N.Smith
Out: D.Towers
Sunday, April 26
Brisbane Lions v West Coast at the Gabba, 1.10pm AEST
Brisbane Lions
In: M.Leuenberger, T.Rockliff, M.Golby, R.Lester, N.Robertson, T.Cutler
Out: M.Maguire, S.Mayes (foot), J.McGrath (foot)
West Coast
In: J.Bennell , F.McInnes , B.Colledge
Out: -
Geelong v North Melbourne at Simonds Stadium, 3.20pm AEST
Geelong
Out: J.Bartel (knee), T.Lonergan (concussion)
New: Jake Kolodjashnij (Launceston)
North Melbourne
In: J.Macmillan, B.McKenzie, T.Dumont
Out: -
Western Bulldogs v Adelaide at Etihad Stadium, 4.40pm AEST
Western Bulldogs
In: M.Boyd, E.Wood, C.Smith, M.Bontempelli, B.Dale
Out: D.Morris (pectoral), M.Wallis (back)
New: Bailey Dale (Dandenong U18)
Adelaide
In: M.Grigg, J.Lyons, M.Crouch
Out: -
