ST KILDA looks set to throw caution to the wind in a bid to keep its premiership dream alive, naming Luke Ball for Saturday night's semi-final against Collingwood.

And the Pies have made their own high-profile inclusion, recalling captain Scott Burns after he missed the last fortnight with a corked calf.

The Saints face elimination if they don’t beat the Magpies at the MCG but Ball, who earlier in the week seemed only a remote chance to return, has been added to the 22 along with fellow tenacious midfielder David Armitage.

Xavier Clarke and former Cat Charlie Gardiner have been axed in the wake of the Saints' 58-point loss to Geelong in last week's qualifying final.

Ball, whose work around the packs was sorely missed last week, hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring against Port Adelaide in round 18.

He has sat out five games and would have returned sooner, if not for a setback at a training session last month where he re-injured the tendon.

Jarryd Allen, Shane Birss and Jack Steven have been named as emergencies for the Saints.

Collingwood has also received a huge boost ahead of its second straight knockout final, with Burns poised to play as his side aims for a preliminary final date with Hawthorn.

A big name has paid a price for the skipper’s return to full fitness, with Rhyce Shaw dropped after his relatively subdued display against Adelaide in last week 's elimination final at AAMI Stadium.

Defender Simon Prestigiacomo has been named despite speculation he would miss with a shoulder complaint while Shane Wakelin, tipped to come into the side should Prestigiacomo struggle, is on the stand-by list with Shaw and youngster Ben Reid.

Ahead of Friday night's semi-final, Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade hasn’t gone over the top in reaction to his side's disappointing display against Hawthorn last week, making just one change.

Wingman Farren Ray has felt the brunt of Eade's frustration, replaced by 21-year-old forward Stephen Tiller as the Dogs search for more firepower.

Ray, Andrejs Everitt and Callan Ward have been named as emergencies for the Bulldogs as they seek to advance to a preliminary final with Geelong.

The Sydney Swans, coming off an impressive 35-point victory over North Melbourne, have named an unchanged line-up to take on the Bulldogs.

Small forward Patrick Veszpremi retains his place in the side and has been named on the interchange, along with Luke Ablett, Amon Buchanan and Kieren Jack.

Mercurial forward Michael O’Loughlin remains sidelined with an ankle injury.