ESSENDON has named captain Dyson Heppell and star forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti for Sunday's clash with Sydney at the SCG.
Heppell will make his long-awaited return from a foot injury that required multiple surgeries in the off-season, while McDonald-Tipungwuti appears to have overcome his ankle scare sustained last weekend.
Both are expected to board the flight to tackle a Swans side that has recalled Callum Sinclair and George Hewett.
Premiership Dog Zaine Cordy is one of three omissions for Sunday's encounter against St Kilda, with midfielder Lin Jong back for his first game in 664 days.
Defender Jake Carlisle returns for the Saints, who have omitted Dean Kent and Luke Dunstan along with Dylan Roberton, who was dropped on Thursday night.
North Melbourne has dumped Paul Ahern and Tom Murphy for Sunday's trip to face Greater Western Sydney, the pair joining injured tall Nick Larkey out of the side.
Kyron Hayden will play his first game since tearing his Achilles in round 15 last year, recalled with Mason Wood and Bailey Scott.
Prized first-round draft pick Tom Green and forward Zac Langdon have been dropped for the Giants, who welcome back Callan Ward, Zac Williams and Jye Caldwell.
Friday, June 12
Geelong v Hawthorn, GMHBA Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
GEELONG
In: R.Stanley, B.Parfitt, J.Bews
Out: Z.Guthrie (omitted), D.Fort (omitted), J.Clark (omitted)
HAWTHORN
In: B.Hardwick
Out: J.O'Meara (facial fracture)
Saturday, June 13
Brisbane v Fremantle, Gabba, 1.45pm AEST
BRISBANE
In: G.Birchall, C.Ah Chee, T.Berry, R.Lester
Out: A.Witherden (omitted), N.Answerth (omitted), D.Robertson (omitted), M.Adams (foot)
New: Thomas Berry, Callum Ah Chee, Grant Birchall
FREMANTLE
In: N.Wilson, B.Matera, D.Mundy
Out: S.Sturt (back), C.McCarthy (illness), M.Crowden (omitted)
Carlton v Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, 4.35pm AEST
CARLTON
In: E.Betts, H.McKay, M.Pittonet, D.Lang
Out: P.Dow (omitted), M.Kreuzer (foot), Z.Fisher (ankle), J.Silvagni (illness)
New: Marc Pittonet, Eddie Betts
MELBOURNE
In: C.Salem, N.Jones, L.Jackson, H.Bennell, T.Rivers, J.Hunt, J.Smith
Out: O.McDonald (omitted), M.Hibberd (omitted), M.Brown (omitted), T.Bedford (omitted), J.Lockhart (omitted), K.Pickett (suspension), C.Spargo (suspension)
New: Harley Bennell, Luke Jackson, Trent Rivers
Gold Coast v West Coast, Metricon Stadium, 7.40pm AEST
GOLD COAST
In: C.Ballard, J.Harbrow, A.Sexton, P.Hanley, W.Powell
Out: W.Brodie (omitted), J.Joyce (omitted), C.Graham (omitted), D.Swallow (suspension), B.Ellis (calf)
WEST COAST
In: O.Allen
Out: T.Hickey (omitted)
Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST
PORT ADELAIDE
In: R.Bonner, C.Dixon
Out: M.Georgiades (calf), J.Lienert (omitted)
ADELAIDE
In: T.Doedee, N.McHenry, B.Crocker, B.Keays
Out: B.Davis (omitted), B.Gibbs (omitted), B.Frampton (omitted), T.Stengle (suspension)
New: Ned McHenry, Ben Crocker, Ben Keays
Sunday, June 14
Greater Western Sydney v North Melbourne, Giants Stadium, 1.05pm AEST
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
In: Z.Williams, C.Ward, J.Caldwell
Out: A.Kennedy (hamstring), Z.Langdon (omitted), T.Green (omitted)
NORTH MELBOURNE
In: B.Scott, M.Wood, K.Hayden
Out: N.Larkey (foot), P.Ahern (omitted), T.Murphy (omitted)
Sydney v Essendon, SCG, 3.35pm AEST
SYDNEY
In: C.Sinclair, G.Hewett
Out: S.Naismith (hamstring), B.Ronke (omitted)
ESSENDON
In: C.Hooker, S.McKernan, D.Heppell
Out: O.Fantasia (quad), B.Zerk-Thatcher (suspension), J.Laverde (omitted)
St Kilda v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium, 6.05pm AEST
ST KILDA
In: J.Carlisle, N.Hind, N.Coffield
Out: D.Roberton (omitted), D.Kent (omitted), L.Dunstan (omitted)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
In: P.Lipinski, B.Gowers, E.Richards, L.Vandermeer, L.Jong
Out: Z.Cordy (omitted), Le.Young (omitted), B.Cavarra (omitted), L.Hunter (suspension), E.Wood (quad)
New: Laitham Vandermeer
