ESSENDON has confirmed a sixth change for Saturday night's pivotal clash with Fremantle after losing gun swingman Cale Hooker and handing a debut to Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
North Melbourne has also been forced into a change just 15 minutes before the first bounce in its clash with Port Adelaide. Paul Ahern (hamstring) is out, replaced by Nathan Hrovat.
Star Bomber Hooker (groin soreness) joins five omissions - Dylan Clarke, Josh Begley, David Myers, Ben McNiece and Mark Baguley - in going out of the line-up that was thumped by the Bulldogs by 104 points.
FOLLOW IT LIVE Dockers v Bombers
Zerk-Thatcher, a 195cm defender, was drafted from Sturt with pick 66 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft and adds to the backline changes with Michael Hurley, Adam Saad and Aaron Francis returning.
The Dockers, who must win to keep their slim finals chances alive, will go in unchanged for Aaron Sandilands and Hayden Ballantyne's home farewell matches, and Michael Walters' 150th game.
Fremantle v Essendon at Optus Stadium, 6.10pm AWST
LATE CHANGES
Fremantle: Nil
Essendon: Cale Hooker (groin soreness) replaced in selected side by Brandon Zerk-Thatcher
FINAL INTERCHANGES
Fremantle: Brandon Matera, Reece Conca, Andrew Brayshaw, Mitch Crowden
Essendon: Andrew McGrath, Kyle Langford, Aaron Francis, Brayden Ham
North Melbourne v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium, 7.25pm AEST
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LATE CHANGES
North Melbourne: Paul Ahern (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Nathan Hrovat
Port Adelaide: Nil
FINAL INTERCHANGES
North Melbourne: Trent Dumont, Nathan Hrovat, Taylor Garner, Jed Anderson
Port Adelaide: Matthew Broadbent, Ollie Wines, Zak Butters, Peter Ladhams
Adelaide v Collingwood at Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm ACST
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LATE CHANGES
Adelaide: Riley Knight (hip soreness) replaced in selected side by Chayce Jones
Collingwood: Nil
FINAL INTERCHANGES
Adelaide: Bryce Gibbs, Jake Kelly, Chayce Jones, Reilly O'Brien
Collingwood: Chris Mayne, Callum Brown, Rupert Wills, John Noble
Brisbane v Geelong at the Gabba, 2.10pm AEST
NO LATE CHANGES
FINAL INTERCHANGES
Brisbane: Allen Christensen, Alex Witherden, Zac Bailey, Oscar McInerney
Geelong: Brandan Parfitt, Quinton Narkle, Gryan Miers, Mark O'Connor
Carlton v St Kilda at the MCG, 1.45pm AEST
LATE CHANGES
Carlton: Jacob Weitering replaced in selected side by Darcy Lang
St Kilda: Nil
FINAL INTERCHANGES
Carlton: Paddy Dow, Michael Gibbons, Will Setterfield, Josh Deluca
St Kilda: Jack Steven, Luke Dunstan, Dan Hannebery, Ben Paton
