SYDNEY Swans defender Nick Malceski has been named to face Hawthorn at the SCG on Sunday just 11 weeks after undergoing his second knee reconstruction in just over three years.
The 26-year-old has been listed on the wing and is poised to make a remarkable comeback from the injury he sustained in March.
Malceski, who largely pioneered the LARS procedure for today's AFL players when he underwent the procedure in February 2008, had the operation repeated after his artificial graft broke down.
He played just over half a game for the Swans' reserves last week.
Malceski is one of four inclusions for the Swans with Brett Meredith, Mark Seaby and potential debutant Lewis Johnston added to an extended squad.
Nathan Gordon is the only omission at this stage.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn has added six players to its squad with just three - Stephen Gilham (knee), David Hale (knee) and Isaac Smith (soreness) - omitted before the final team is decided on Friday.
Rick Ladson, Clinton Young, Cyril Rioli, Ryan Schoenmakers and Jordan Lisle have been named while luckless ruckman Max Bailey is a chance to play his first senior game since round 22, 2009, after overcoming three knee reconstructions.
Carlton has brought in former Demon Brock McLean for his first game for the season in Friday night's clash with Geelong at Etihad Stadium.
Jeremy Laidler is the Blues' other inclusion for the injured Ed Curnow (shoulder) and omitted Aaron Joseph.
Meanwhile, Geelong has been forced to make three changes with Cameron Ling (shoulder), Tom Lonergan (calf) and Daniel Menzel (shins) to miss.
Darren Milburn returns after being a late withdrawal from last Friday night's clash with Collingwood, Taylor Hunt gets called up and second-year ruckman Nathan Vardy will play his first game.
Ross Lyon has taken a strong stance with St Kilda by omitting Jason Gram, Ben McEvoy and Andrew McQualter, while Steven Baker will miss Saturday's clash with Melbourne at Etihad Stadium with suspension.
The Saints will also feature a debutant with Nicholas Winmar named on the interchange bench. Jason Blake and Brett Peake will come in while Leigh Montagna returns from suspension.
Melbourne has lost three players - Col Garland (ankle), Austin Wonaeamirri (knee) and Rohan Bail (knee) - to injury, while Jamie Bennell has been omitted and Lynden Dunn suspended.
Dashing midfielder Michael Evans has been elevated from the rookie list to play his first game while Matthew Bate and Joel Macdonald have been recalled and Jared Rivers and Jordie McKenzie return from injury.
Port Adelaide has made just one change to its side set to tackle Fremantle at home on Saturday with Jasper Pittard to come in for the omitted Daniel Stewart.
There was talk during the week Fremantle coach Mark Harvey would bring in mature-aged WAFL recruit Tendai Mzungu, and the chatter was on target.
The half-back flanker will play his first game while Rhys Palmer, Hayden Ballantyne and Dylan Roberton have been recalled for Adam McPhee (knee), Jay van Berlo, Jayden Pitt and Jack Anthony.
Jonathan Brown is the big in for the Brisbane Lions after overcoming the horrific facial injuries he sustained in round one, while Matt Austin and first-gamer Joshua Green have been named for the Gabba clash with North Melbourne on Saturday night.
Josh Drummond is an unlucky omission, having sustained a six-week injury to his left meniscus last week against Essendon, with the tear located in the same knee he had reconstructed in May last year.
Ash McGrath (hamstring) and Ryan Harwood are the other omissions for the Lions.
North Melbourne has lost Nathan Grima (hand) and Sam Wright (shoulder) but has named Ben Cunnington and former Geelong Falcon Luke Delaney for his first game.
Saturday night's Dreamtime at the 'G clash will see Richmond bring in Shane Tuck, Andrew Browne and Mitchell Farmer at the expense of Shane Edwards (cheek), Ben Nason and Angus Graham.
Essendon coach James Hird has been forced into making two changes for the big game against the Tigers with Heath Hocking (suspended) and Jobe Watson (hamstring) out, while Travis Colyer has been omitted.
Henry Slattery, Brent Stanton and Alwyn Davey have been named although Slattery faces a fitness on Friday to prove he is over his hamstring strain, while Michael Hurley will miss again with a calf/foot problem.
Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell has been named to face Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Sunday while John McCarthy and Dayne Beams have been recalled from the VFL and defender Lachlan Keeffe - who impressed in the NAB Cup - is in the extended squad and could debut.
Alan Toovey, who was hospitalised last Friday night after receiving chest bruising against the Cats, will miss.
Adelaide is yet to omit anyone but has added Taylor Walker, Myke Cook and potential first-gamer Aidan Riley to its squad.
Finally, West Coast has named Andrew Embley, Daniel Kerr and Andrew Strijk to face the Western Bulldogs at Paterson Stadium on Sunday afternoon with no outs at this point.
However, Embley and Kerr both face fitness tests on Saturday morning to prove they are over the hamstring and adductor muscle injuries they missed last weekend with respectively.
The Bulldogs will get back Shaun Higgins, Tom Williams and Barry Hall from injury while Easton Wood has been named after overcoming the ankle problem he sustained in round one and Mitch Wallis has been recalled.
The Dogs will be without Adam Cooney, who will miss with his problematic knee, while Josh Hill has been dropped.