STAR forward Lance Franklin is back in Hawthorn's line-upfor Friday night's top of the table clash against Essendon at Etihad Stadium,while Collingwood has brought Harry O'Brien back into its side to play winlessGreater Western Sydney on Saturday. 

Franklin and O'Brien head the list of big-name inclusionsfor round 18. 

Sam Mitchell is also back in the Hawks' side, while SteveJohnson returns to Geelong's team, Matthew Boyd is back for the WesternBulldogs and Jonathan Brown is in for the Brisbane Lions. 

Hawthorn has made only two changes for its meeting with theBombers, with Franklin, who has missed the past two games due to knee soreness,and Mitchell replacing Kyle Cheney and Will Langford, who have both been dropped. 

In stark contrast, Essendon has made five changes, withHeath Hocking, Ben Howlett, David Zaharakis, Tayte Pears and Joe Daniherreplacing Nathan Lovett-Murray (omitted), Nick O'Brien (omitted), StewartCrameri (ankle), Jackson Merrett (omitted) and Dustin Fletcher (back). 

Both Gold Coast and Carlton, who meet at Metricon Stadium onSaturday afternoon, have enjoyed much quieter selection meetings. 

The Suns have brought back big forward Charlie Dixon for hisfirst game since round 11. Dixon has placed Josh Hall, who has been dropped. 

The Blues have brought in Mitch Robinson and Josh Bootsma.They have dropped Jaryd Cachia and have lost Andrew McInnes to a groin injury. 

Melbourne and North Melbourne have each made only one changefor their game at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

The Demons have lost key defender Colin Garland to an ankleinjury and have replaced him with former Roo Cameron Pedersen. 

North has dropped defender Scott McMahon and replaced himwith Cameron Delaney. 

O'Brien is the headline inclusion in Collingwood's team forthe Saturday twilight clash with Greater Western Sydney at the MCG. 

The dashing defender has been sidelined by a number ofinjury and personal problems since the loss to Port Adelaide in round 14. 

The Magpies have also included key backman Nathan Brown andsmall forward Jarryd Blair, while first-year ruckman Brodie Grundy will makehis debut. 

Andrew Krakouer and Caolan Mooney have been dropped, whileBen Hudson and Paul Seedsman are both out due to calf injuries. 

The Giants have made only two changes, with Tom Scully andAyden Kennedy replacing Gerald Ugle and Lachie Whitfield, who have both beendropped. 

Geelong's team has been bolstered by the return of Johnson,Taylor Hunt, Nathan Vardy, Mitch Brown and George Horlin-Smith for Saturdaynight's meeting with St Kilda at Simonds Stadium. 

The Cats have lost Josh Hunt (shin) and Jess Stringer (knee)to injuries, while Jimmy Bartel is out due to suspension, Jordan Murdoch hasbeen dropped and ruckman Mark Blicavs is being rested. 

The Saints have brought in Jaryn Geary and Arryn Sipposs inplace of Trent Dennis-Lane and Rhys Stanley, who have been dropped. 

Aaron Sandilands and Nick Suban are back in Fremantle's teamfor the crucial clash between the Dockers and Adelaide at Patersons Stadium onSaturday night. 

Matt Taberner has also earned a recall. Freo has droppedAlex Silvagni, Jack Hannath and Tom Sheridan. 

The Crows have lost Ben Rutten to a shoulder problem andhave dropped Mitch Grigg. 

Shaun McKernan and Kyle Hartigan, who will make his AFLdebut, have come into the team. 

Port Adelaide has regained Kane Cornes and Dom Cassisi forits Sunday game against the Brisbane Lions at AAMI Stadium. 

The Power have lost Tom Jonas to suspension and have decidedto rest Jake Neade. 

Brown and Brent Moloney are the big ins for the Lions, whohave also brought Mitch Golby and Jack Crisp into their 25-man squad. PearceHanley is out after needing hand surgery. 

Boyd is finally back in the Bulldogs' line-up for the Sundayafternoon clash with West Coast at Etihad Stadium. The Dogs have also broughtin defender Tom Young and youngster Jake Stringer, but they have lost BrettGoodes to an arm injury and are resting Nathan Hrovat. 

The Eagles have made a host of changes, with Scott Selwood,Ashton Hams and Brad Sheppard among eight players brought into their squad. 

Adam Selwood has been dropped, while Darren Glass(soreness), Mark LeCras (foot), Nic Naitanui (soreness) and Luke Shuey(hamstring) are injured. 

Mitch Morton is among three fringe players brought into theSydney Swans squad for their much-anticipated game against Richmond at the SCGon Sunday evening. 

The Tigers have lost Jake King to a hamstring injury andhave brought Shane Tuck , Luke McGuane, Sam Lonergan and David Astbury intotheir squad.