ADELAIDE has wielded the axe ahead of Wednesday night's game against Melbourne, making eight changes to the team thumped by North Melbourne on Saturday, including the omissions of veteran Bryce Gibbs and Rory Atkins. 

In Wednesday night's other match, Geelong will welcome back skipper Joel Selwood for its clash with the Kangaroos at the Gabba. 

FULL TEAMS Check 'em out

But the big news comes from the Crows, with Taylor Walker, Tom Doedee and young key position players Darcy Fogarty and Fisher McAsey among those recalled. 

Riley Knight has also been left out following the 69-point loss to the Roos, while Shane McAdam and Tyson Stengle have been managed. 

Melbourne has axed three players for the must-win match, with brothers Oscar and Tom McDonald joined by Mitch Hannan on the sidelines. 

Off-season recruit Adam Tomlinson is recalled for his first game since round five, while Harley Bennell and Aaron vandenBerg are also among the new faces from the team flogged by Port Adelaide last week.

Geelong has also brought back Jack Steven and ruckman Rhys Stanley, while managing four players after having to travel from Perth to Brisbane on a four-day break following its loss to West Coast. 

Jake Kolodjashnij, Gary Rohan, Brandan Parfitt and Esava Ratugolea have all been managed. 

After being left out for one match, Kangaroos duo Ben Brown and Jared Polec are both back in for the match against the Cats. 

Nick Larkey and Luke Davies-Uniacke are among four players to be given a rest.

Wednesday, August 5

Geelong v North Melbourne, Gabba, 5.40pm AEST

GEELONG
In: T.Atkins, J.Steven, R.Stanley, J.Selwood, Z.Guthrie
Out: C.Constable (concussion), J.Kolodjashnij (managed), G.Rohan (managed), E.Ratugolea (managed), B.Parfitt (managed)

NORTH MELBOURNE 
In: B.Brown, L.Hosie, J.Polec, W.Walker
Out: C.Taylor (knee), K.Hayden (managed), N.Larkey (managed), L.Davies-Uniacke (managed)
New: Lachie Hosie

Adelaide v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm ACST

ADELAIDE
In: T.Doedee, N.McHenry, F.McAsey, T.Walker, D.Mackay, H.Schoenberg, D.Fogarty, L.Sholl
Out: R.Atkins (omitted), R.Knight (omitted), B.Gibbs (omitted), K.Strachan (omitted), K.Hartigan (managed), A.McPherson (managed), S.McAdam (managed), T.Stengle (managed)
New: Harry Schoenberg, Lachlan Sholl

MELBOURNE
In: A.Tomlinson, H.Bennell, A.vandenBerg, A.Neal-Bullen
Out: O.McDonald (omitted), T.McDonald (omitted), M.Hannan (omitted), K.Pickett (ankle)