WEST Coast has dropped Sharrod Wellingham for Sunday's Western Derby at Patersons Stadium.

 

The 25-year-old midfielder has battled injury issues this season, beginning with bone stress hot spots in his shins during the pre-season.

 

He has gathered just 13 possessions in each of the past two matches and coach Adam Simpson has decided to leave him out of Sunday's blockbuster.

 

Jeremy McGovern and Dom Sheed have also been left out as the Eagles welcome back Shannon Hurn for his first game since suffering a knee injury in round two. Darren Glass also returns from suspension and Simon Tunbridge will play his first game of the season.

 

The Dockers have recalled Matt de Boer just 24 hours after leaving him out of the original 25-man squad for the Derby. Stephen Hill suffered a hamstring injury late on Thursday and de Boer not only returned to the squad but has also been named in the final 22.

 

Tom Sheridan has also been omitted as Hayden Ballantyne (suspension) and Michael Barlow (knee) return for the Dockers.

 

Gold Coast midfielder Harley Bennell will play his first game for the season on Sunday against North Melbourne. Charlie Dixon and Tom Nicholls have also been included at the expense of Matthew Warnock, Jack Hutchins, and Timmy Sumner who have all been omitted.

 

Scott Thompson returns from suspension for the Kangaroos in place of Robin Nahas (omitted).

 

Ty Vickery is one of four inclusions for Richmond on Sunday against Geelong. Vickery has not played since being dropped following the round four loss to Collingwood. Brett Deledio, Aaron Edwards, and Alex Rance also return to the Tigers line-up to face Geelong. Ricky Petterd, Ben Griffiths, Dylan Grimes, and Matt Arnot have all been omitted.

 

Steven Motlop makes his long-awaited return for the Cats. Dawson Simpson has also been included, while Jackson Thurlow misses with a back issue and Josh Walker has been omitted.

Meanwhile, Collingwood has picked Marley Williams for Friday night's battle with arch-rival Carlton at the MCG, while Sydney Swans spearhead Lance Franklin has been ruled out with a knee injury.

 

Williams returned via the VFL last week, the same week he was handed a 12-month suspended jail term for grievous bodily harm by a West Australian court.

 

The dashing defender will play his first game of the season, in place of Alex Fasolo (toe). Sam Dwyer, who was the Magpies' best in the VFL last week, also replaces Alan Toovey (hamstring).

 

Carlton has made one change for the clash with Chris Yarran (hamstring) making way for the experienced Andrew Carrazzo.

 

Franklin injured his knee against Melbourne last week and the Swans have decided to play it cautiously, leaving him out of the line-up that will face the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night.

 

Lewis Roberts-Thomson has been dropped for the game against the Lions but his omission is somewhat offset by the return of Sam Reid.

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Reid will play his first game of the year after shaking off the effects of a lingering Achilles injury, with Brandon Jack also receiving a recall.

The Lions have lost important defender Pearce Hanley to a back injury, with Rohan Bewick named as his replacement.

Hawthorn is beginning to find its preferred defensive makeup, with Ryan Schoenmakers to return to the fray against St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday.

 

Schoenmakers has not played since rupturing the ACL in his knee last April. The Hawks have named the slick-moving Billy Hartung, the club's fifth debutant this season, for Jordan Lewis' 200th game milestone.

 

Hawthorn selected Hartung with pick No. 24 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, with the teenager renowned for his endurance-speed combo.

St Kilda has made five changes to its team, with Maverick Weller and Blake Acres both set to make their debuts.

 

Weller was elevated off the rookie list in place of the injured Sam Gilbert, while Acres is a highly-talented tall midfielder who was the Saints' first-overall pick (No.19 overall) in the 2013 draft.

 

Top-of-the-table Port Adelaide will be bolstered by the return of Angus Monfries from a hamstring injury for its trip to play Greater Western Sydney in Canberra.

 

Sam Gray is the unlucky Power player to make way.

Greater Western Sydney has made five changes to its side, with No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd being omitted after his second game at AFL level last week.

 

Talented midfielders Dylan Shiel and Josh Kelly are set to make their returns.

 

Brendon Goddard and Heath Hocking are important inclusions for Essendon as it gets set to battle it out with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

 

Martin Gleeson (soreness) and Kyle Hardingham have been left out.

 

Western Bulldogs veteran Daniel Giansiracusa is one of four players to be omitted, with Dale Morris to return from an ankle injury.

In: A.Carrazzo

Out: C.Yarran (hamstring)

In: S.Dwyer, M.Williams 

Out: A.Toovey (hamstring), A.Fasolo (toe) 

In: R.Schoenmakers, B.Hartung 

Out: J.Simpkin, W.Langford (back) 

New: B.Hartung (Dandenong U18) 

In: A.Schneider, T.Simpkin, M.Weller, B.Longer, B.Acres 

Out: J.Bruce, S.Ross, T.Hickey (foot), L.Dunstan (concussion), E.Templeton (broken arm)

New: B.Acres (West Perth), Maverick Weller (Gold Coast)

In: R.Palmer, D.Shiel, M.Buntine, T.Greene, J.Kelly 

Out: J.Hunt (Knee), T.Bugg, L.Plowman, Z.Williams, T.Boyd 

In: A.Monfries 

Out: S.Gray 

In: -

Out: -

In: -

Out: -

In: R.Bewick 

Out: P.Hanley (back) 

In: S.Reid, B.Jack 

Out: L.Roberts-Thomson, L.Franklin (knee) 

In: B.Goddard, H.Hocking 

Out: K.Hardingham, M.Gleeson 

In: T.Williams, D.Morris, J.Johannisen, M.Bontempelli 

Out: D.Giansiracusa, T.Campbell, T.Young, L.Jong