WEST COAST has suffered a major blow ahead of its game against Hawthorn, with star ruckman Dean Cox's groin injury headlining selection news for round 13.
Cox's absence means young gun Nic Naitanui is likely to do the bulk of the ruck work, with Quinten Lynch as back-up, at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.
The Eagles have also lost Mark Nicoski (back), while Jamie McNamara has been omitted.
However, there was some bright news for coach John Worsfold, with Norm Smith Medallist Andrew Embley returning to the side along with Sam Butler and Ben McKinley.
Hawthorn's backline is starting to again resemble the one which helped win it the 2008 premiership, welcoming back Stephen Gilham and Rick Ladson.
Emerging defender Brendan Whitecross is another inclusion for the reigning premiers – who have made three changes – as they try to win their seventh game of the year and move into the top eight.
Brent Renouf, Ryan Schoenmakers and Travis Tuck are out.
Adam McPhee's calf injury has made for a second change for Essendon ahead of Friday night's clash with the Blues.
Mark McVeigh was already forced out of the side with a one-match ban and the pair has been replaced by Henry Slattery and Nathan Lovett-Murray.
Bachar Houli, Michael Hurley and David Zaharakis are the emergencies.
Bret Thornton's return from a hamstring strain is a boost for Carlton. The defender comes in at the expense of small forward Jeff Garlett who drops back to the emergency list with Brad Fisher and Jordan Russell.
Collingwood looks set to make four changes for Saturday’s clash with Fremantle despite coming off one of its best wins of the year.
The Magpies bravely fought off the Sydney Swans last week after losing Scott Pendlebury early in the clash. However, three players have been dropped as others have pushed their way back into the 22.
Nathan Brown, a late withdrawal last week, has been recalled along with Tyson Goldsack, Dayne Beams and forward Chris Dawes, who is in line to play his first game of the year.
But there is still no room – at this stage – for Paul Medhurst.
Pendlebury (knee) is the only player to miss through injury, with Marty Clarke, Steele Sidebottom and ruckman Cameron Wood all omitted.
Fremantle will unveil two more debutants on Saturday – bringing its season total to nine – when Hayden Ballantyne and youngster Zac Clarke take on the Pies at the MCG.
Mark Harvey continues to implement his youth policy, with the pair coming in along with Brett Peake.
Adam Campbell, Kepler Bradley and Michael Walters have all been omitted.
Ballantyne, the Sandover Medallist, kicked 75 goals in the WAFL last year and can play in the midfield and close to goal.
Clarke, the No. 37 pick in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, stands 203cm and is a former basketballer. He was considered a long-term project for the club but has earned a call-up after impressing at the lower level.
Richard Douglas returns for Adelaide after the swine flu scare that saw him drop out of the squad that defeated North Melbourne.
Graham Johncock is also back into the side to face the Swans at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Brent Reilly (hamstring) and Jared Petrenko (omitted) make way while James Sellar and Tony Armstrong complete the emergencies.
The Sydney Swans lose Jarrad McVeigh to a shoulder injury and have dropped Jarred Moore.
Ryan Brabazon and Patrick Veszpremi are their replacements with Mike Pyke, Luke Ablett and Matt O'Dwyer on standby.
The defensive stocks of the Brisbane Lions have received a huge boost with the inclusion of Joel Patfull and Daniel Merrett. Those players return after long injury lay-offs for Saturday night's clash with Melbourne at the Gabba.
Troy Selwood is out with a shoulder injury while Tim Notting drops back to the emergency list with Jack Redden and Matt Austin.
Melbourne has recalled Matthew Warnock and Ricky Petterd with Kyle Cheney and Clint Bartram out.
Nathan Jones, Lynden Dunn and Shane Valenti are the emergencies.
Geelong captain Tom Harley seems the only definite inclusion for the home side's match with Port Adelaide at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.
Harley has been named in the 18 after overcoming a hamstring injury, with forward Mathew Stokes and Simon Hogan also potential candidates to complement the line-up that beat West Coast last week.
Port Adelaide’s miserable injury run continues, with Daniel Motlop out with an ankle, but midfielder Steven Salopek is also among at least three likely changes.
Marlon Motlop is the other omission for Port Adelaide, which has lost some of its best ball-winners in recent weeks.
However, defender Matthew Broadbent was named on his side’s extended interchange and could yet make his debut.
Nathan Krakouer looks set to return while Alipate Carlile, Nick Lower, Paul Stewart and former Geelong midfielder Jason Davenport are all in the mix.
North Melbourne's line-up has been significantly strengthened for Darren Crocker's first game in charge with David Hale, Liam Anthony and Ben Warren all joining Brent Harvey in the team to face the Dogs at the MCG on Sunday.
The quartet goes straight into the starting 18 while fellow inclusion Todd Goldstein is named on an extended bench.
Aaron Edwards has been dropped while Jack Ziebell is out with the broken leg suffered against Adelaide.
The Western Bulldogs have named Lindsay Gilbee in their squad despite doubts over his fitness due to an ankle injury carried for several weeks.
Gilbee limped off the training track on Wednesday, but will be given every chance to take his place.
Tim Callan, Sam Reid and Stephen Tiller have been added to the squad that walloped the Power in Darwin.
Fresh from a week off after its thrilling win over Carlton, St Kilda has added James Gwilt, David Armitage and Raphael Clarke for Sunday’s clash with Richmond.
The Saints will finalise their team on Friday night before they meet the Tigers at Docklands in the twilight game.
Richmond appears set to blood upgraded rookie Jarrod Silvester when it tackles one of the biggest challenges in AFL football on Sunday.
Silvester, named at full-back for his league debut, could face a significant duel with Justin Koschitzke or Nick Riewoldt.
Jake King and Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls are also in the 25-man squad.
