CARLTON will welcome back key forward Mitch McGovern for its Thursday night clash with Greater Western Sydney.

McGovern hasn't played since round eight but is back from a hamstring injury for the Blues as they make a last-ditch run at the finals after last week's loss to Collingwood. 

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He is one of three changes for Carlton, with Sam Petrevski-Seton and Matt Cottrell also included. Michael Gibbons and Lachie Plowman will miss with injury.

The Giants have made only one change, with star midfielder Josh Kelly unavailable as he recovers from last week's heavy head knock. Tall forward Jeremy Finlayson has come in to the side for the Metricon Stadium meeting. 

In the season's first game in Cairns, the Demons have made four changes for their clash with Sydney on Thursday night.

Mitch Hannan and Aaron vandenBerg have both been omitted, while exciting youngster Kysaiah Pickett has been managed and Michael Hibberd will miss with an ankle injury.

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Bayley Fritsch, who missed last week's win over St Kilda after being late to a Demons training session, returns along with James Harmes and Alex Neal-Bullen.

Lewis Taylor has been included for the Swans at the expense of James Bell for the clash at Cazalys Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

Thursday, September 3

Sydney v Melbourne at Cazalys Stadium, 4.40pm AEST

SYDNEY
In: L.Taylor
Out: J.Bell (omitted)

MELBOURNE
In: J.Harmes, B.Fritsch, A.Neal-Bullen, J.Smith
Out: M.Hannan (omitted), A.vandenBerg (omitted), M.Hibberd (ankle), K.Pickett (managed)

Greater Western Sydney v Carlton at Metricon Stadium, 7.10pm AEST

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
In: J.Finlayson
Out: J.Kelly (concussion)

CARLTON
In: S.Petrevski-Seton, M.Cottrell, M.McGovern
Out: L.Plowman (injured), T.De Koning (omitted), M.Gibbons (injured)