GEELONG coach Mark Thompson has finally got his wish, with big man Brad Ottens set to return against Carlton and play his first match of 2008.

Ottens is one of three changes for the Cats, who were hammered by 86 points last week.

Also into the side come hardman Max Rooke and midfielder Shannon Byrnes, who both starred for Geelong in the VFL last week.

Josh Hunt’s shoulder hasn’t recovered while Ryan Gamble and Trent West have both been omitted.

Carlton will get some tall timber back with defender Bret Thornton and Cameron Cloke to return, while Swan Districts youngster Dennis Armfield will make his AFL debut as Brett Ratten tries to inject further enthusiasm into his side as it prepares to battle the reigning premiers.

Darren Pfeiffer is an unlucky omission along with Jake Edwards, while Jarrad Waite will serve his one-match suspension.

Scott Lucas is one of two big inclusions for Essendon, which faces a big task against a rebounding Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

As Matthew Knights forecast earlier in the week, Lucas has been selected in the 22 after overcoming a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee, while impressive youngster Bachar Houli also returns to the side.

While the two inclusions are welcome for Essendon they were also forced, with Darcy Daniher (back) and Jobe Watson (tendonitis) to miss the clash.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig has given his charges the opportunity to redeem themselves after naming the same combination that fell to a shock loss at the hands of the Eagles for Friday night’s clash with the Bombers at AAMI Stadium.

Luke Jericho, Ken McGregor and Andy Otten are the emergencies.

Hawthorn has made just the one forced change ahead of Saturday’s highly-anticipated encounter with the Bulldogs with Jordan Lewis coming in for Stuart Dew.

The former Power star sat out most of last weekend’s win over the Demons after complaining of hamstring soreness with the club erring on the side of caution with the 185-game veteran. Lewis, 22, was a late withdrawal with thigh soreness at the MCG last Sunday.

Zac Dawson, Brent Renouf and Brendan Whitecross are the emergencies.

The Western Bulldogs have also made one change after choosing to omit defender Cameron Wight in favour of Stephen Tiller for the Launceston clash.

The emergencies are Josh Hill, Callan Ward and Peter Street.

West Coast welcomes back two of its toughest nuts, with star midfielder Daniel Kerr and rugged defender Beau Waters into the team that thrashed the Adelaide Crows last week.

Kerr has served his three-week suspension and will be a welcome addition for the Eagles who face the in-form Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday.

Two youngsters make way for the more experienced duo, with Ryan Davis omitted while the impressive Chris Masten will have to wait before playing his first AFL match at the home of football as he is suffering from general soreness.

There’s no surprises at Collingwood with coach Mick Malthouse sticking with the same 22 that demolished Geelong by 86 points last week.

Josh Fraser and Chris Bryan will again carry the ruck duties, with Cameron Wood to await his chance. Ryan Cook, Shannon Cox and Ben Reid are the three emergencies for the Magpies.

Brisbane has stuck with the same combination that demoralised the Saints for Saturday night’s match against North Melbourne at the Gabba.

James Polkinghorne, Matthew Leuenberger and Cheynee Stiller could not force their way into the side that defeated St Kilda by 46 points last Sunday and have been named as emergencies.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon hasn’t gone over the top in the wake of his scathing attack on his players, with just the two changes made at Moorabbin.

Aaron Fiora and Leigh Fisher have both been dropped after the 46-point loss to the Brisbane Lions.

Melbourne will make at least four changes ahead of its Sunday clash with St Kilda.

Mercurial forward Aaron Davey has been forced out after sustaining a hamstring injury at training mid-week and boom youngster Cale Morton will miss with the flu, while Shane Valenti and Mark Jamar have been dropped from the side that fell to Hawthorn by 19 points.

Jeff White returns to lead the rucks with Jace Bode, Colin Sylvia, Lynden Dunn, Paul Wheatley, Chris Johnson and Adem Yze named on an extended bench.

North Melbourne will blood former Queenslander Gavin Urquhart for his first AFL match in his home state.

Urquhart has been picked in the back pocket against the Lions and comes into the side for star ballwinner Daniel Wells, who injured his knee against the Western Bulldogs last week.

Port Adelaide’s bid to stay in contention for September action has suffered a blow with star forward Brett Ebert forced out of the Power line-up with an ankle injury.

Ebert, who was cleared of any structural damage earlier in the week, will miss his side’s must-win clash against Fremantle at Subiaco on Sunday.

His place will be taken by one of either Nathan Krakouer, Paul Stewart, Nick Lower or Damon White, who have all been named on a seven-man bench for Port Adelaide.

Josh Carr returns from suspension for Fremantle’s home match against the Power with Marcus Drum, Robert Warnock and Mark Johnson added to an extended bench.

Steven Dodd sustained a calf injury in last week’s loss to the Blues and is the only omission.

Tadgh Kennelly has been named on an extended bench as the Sydney Swans prepare to host the Tigers at the SCG on Sunday.

The important defender missed last week’s win over Port Adelaide after he dislocated a patella against the Bombers, but appears set to resume after he was included in the squad along with Luke Brennan and Nick Smith.

Mitch Morton, Greg Tivendale and Graham Polak come in for Richmond with all three appearing on a seven-man bench.

Neither club has omitted any players from last week’s winning sides.