WEST Coast ruckman Scott Lycett will make his long-awaited comeback against Port Adelaide on Sunday, while Eagles veteran Mark LeCras has also been recalled for the crunch game in Perth.
Lycett has endured a frustrating run with injuries since his last AFL appearance in last year's elimination final, undergoing an off-season PCL reconstruction and then dislocating his shoulder playing a WAFL practice match in March.
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But the 203cm big man has finally managed to find a spot in the 22 after four games back for East Perth, coming in alongside LeCras, skipper Shannon Hurn and Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis.
LeCras has missed the past two games due to a hip issue and is in the midst of a four-game goal drought – the longest of his career – but coach Adam Simpson has backed the veteran against the Power at Domain Stadium.
Midfielder Jack Redden has been dropped again – along with young defender Tom Cole and Chris Masten - with experienced backman Sam Butler (hamstring) forced out of the side which upset the Western Bulldogs.
The Power have handed a debut to Joe Atley for another crucial clash against a top-eight rival, while Jack Hombsch returns for the trip west.
Jake Neade has been axed and Matthew Broadbent misses due to an ankle complaint.
Melbourne has made four changes for its clash against Carlton at the MCG, headlined by spearhead Jesse Hogan's comeback.
Hogan will play his first game since round seven after undergoing testicular cancer surgery and returns alongside lively forward Jeff Garlett, Dean Kent and rookie Joel Smith.
Skipper Jack Viney (foot), Tomas Bugg (suspension) and Dom Tyson (knee) have been forced out of the side which lost to Sydney, with Mitch White omitted.
Former captain Jack Trengove is among the emergencies.
The Blues have regained talented youngster Sam Petrevski-Seton alongside Harrison Macreadie and Jed Lamb.
Defender Caleb Marchbank misses out due to a shoulder complaint, while Nick Graham and Liam Sumner have been dropped.
Fremantle welcomes back star midfielder Stephen Hill (calf) for Sunday's clash against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, and has recalled Connor Blakely and Shane Kersten.
Blakely was suspended by the club for last Sunday's loss to St Kilda, while Kersten booted two goals for Peel after being dropped for the first time by the Dockers.
The ex-Cat replaces suspended forward Cam McCarthy, while Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) and Lee Spurr (calf) are also out of the side.
Half-back Ryan Nyhuis has missed out on the chance to become Freo's seventh debutant this season.
The Kangaroos have brought back tough midfielders Ben Cunnington (suspension) and Trent Dumont among four changes.
Jy Simpkin also returns after a shoulder issue, with 2014 draft pick Daniel Nielson set to debut.
Star forward Jarrad Waite (calf), emerging youngster Mason Wood (calf) and half-back Jamie Macmillan (finger) make way, while Ryan Clarke has been dropped.
Sunday, July 9
North Melbourne v Fremantle at Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm AEST
NORTH MELBOURNE
In: B.Cunnington, T.Dumont, D.Nielson, J.Simpkin
Out: J.Waite (calf), J.Macmillan (finger), M.Wood (calf), R.Clarke
New: Daniel Nielson (Eastern U18)
FREMANTLE
In: S.Hill, C.Blakely, S.Kersten
Out: C.McCarthy (suspension), A.Sandilands (hamstring), L.Spurr (calf)
New: Ryan Nyhuis (NT Thunder)
Carlton v Melbourne at the MCG, 3.20pm AEST
CARLTON
In: J.Lamb, S.Petrevski-Seton, H.Macreadie
Out: L.Sumner, N.Graham, C.Marchbank (shoulder)
MELBOURNE
In: J.Garlett, D.Kent, J.Hogan, J.Smith
Out: D.Tyson (knee), T.Bugg (suspension), J.Viney (foot), M.White
West Coast v Port Adelaide at Domain Stadium, 2.40pm AWST
WEST COAST
In: M.LeCras, M.Priddis, S.Hurn, S.Lycett
Out: S.Butler (hamstring), C.Masten, J.Redden, T.Cole
PORT ADELAIDE
In: J.Hombsch, J.Atley
Out: M.Broadbent (ankle), J.Neade
New: Joe Atley (Bendigo U18)
