SOME big names are set to return from injury in round nine, with Chad Cornes, Josh Fraser and Nick Riewoldt some of the major inclusions in this weekend's teams.
Riewoldt has been included in the St Kilda team to play the Brisbane Lions just three weeks after injuring his knee against Richmond.
He is one of four inclusions for the Saints, along with Aaron Fiora, Jarryn Geary and Clint Jones, while Fraser Gehrig, Raphael Clarke, Charlie Gardiner and David Armitage are out.
The Lions have included Matthew Leuenberger, Cheynee Stiller and James Polkinghorne as emergencies, with coach Leigh Matthews sticking with the same side that defeated Carlton.
Melbourne added four players to its extended squad to play the Hawks on Sunday, but in the end, the only change to the side that was belted by the Crows last weekend was Ben Holland in for Mark Jamar.
Hawthorn youngster Josh Kennedy will continue his family's legacy when he makes his debut against the Dees.
Kennedy's father, John Jnr, and grandfather, John Snr, are both legends of the club. Tom Murphy and Tim Clarke complete the ins, while Shane Crawford (suspended), Brent Guerra (hamstring) and Ben McGlynn (suspended) go out.
The Western Bulldogs have brought in two players for their clash with the Kangaroos.
Tim Callan has been named in a back pocket while Farren Ray has been named on the bench.
North Melbourne has brought in Daniel Pratt to replace Alan Obst who is out after suffering a punctured lung in his debut match last weekend.
Fraser will resume for Collingwood against Geelong on Friday night after missing just one week with a knee strain suffered in the Hall of Fame Tribute match.
He comes in at the expense of former Lion Cameron Wood in the only change from the side that defeated the Saints last week.
The ruckman has been named as an emergency along with Ryan Cook and Ryan Lonie.
Geelong hardman Max Rooke is the unlucky Cat forced out as talented goalkicker Mathew Stokes returns for the undefeated premiers.
Stokes has served a one-week suspension and will front Collingwood at the MCG in one of the games of the round.
His return is one of two changes Mark Thompson made to his team. As he forecast during the week, young ruckman Trent West comes back into the team to replace Shane Mumford.
West Coast has named two debutants as it looks to get back on the winners’ list at home to the Crows on Saturday night.
Tim Houlihan, pick 43 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, and Beau Wilkes, who has been elevated off the rookie list, come into the side that fell to North Melbourne by six points on the Gold Coast.
Mark Nicoski and Jaymie Graham drop out, with Nicoski an emergency along with Steven Armstrong and Matt Spangher.
Adelaide has made two changes to the side that belted Melbourne by 76 points last week.
Jarrhan Jacky and Luke Jericho might consider themselves unlucky omissions from the Crows line-up to meet the West Coast Eagles on Saturday night.
Midfielders Richard Douglas (knee) and Brent Reilly (hand) return from injury to make the trip to Perth.
Jericho has been named as an emergency along with Ken McGregor and Bryce Campbell.
Carlton defender Bret Thornton is back for the Blues after missing two matches with a knee injury. Joining him are Shaun Hampson and Jake Edwards while Cain Ackland and the injured Richard Hadley and Michael Jamison make way.
Antoni Grover and Chris Mayne come back in for their opponents Fremantle to replace the injured Roger Hayden and Marcus Drum.
Port Adelaide has been boosted by two big inclusions ahead of its make-or-break clash with the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Power has named star utility Chad Cornes as well as tough defender Michael Wilson, who will play his first match since rupturing his achilles tendon in last year’s preliminary final win over North Melbourne.
Cornes injured a finger in his team’s round six win against St Kilda but has been named in the centre for Saturday’s crucial round nine showdown.
Wilson, who provides much-needed grunt for the Power, has been named on the interchange bench.
The pair’s return could not have come at a better time for coach Mark Williams, whose side has a 3-5 win-loss record and this week lost star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne to suspension for three matches.
Adam Thomson, who was omitted, is the other change.
The Sydney Swans have made just the one change, with Tim Schmidt to replace Tadhg Kennelly, who dislocated his knee cap in last week’s win over the Bombers.
Nic Fosdike, Nick Smith and Luke Brennan are the emergencies.
Richmond has made two changes for Saturday night’s Dreamtime at the ‘G clash with the Dons, dropping two players in the wake of last week’s five-goal loss to Geelong.
Adam Pattison and Jay Schulz return to the senior side in place of forward Mitch Morton and defender Luke McGuane, who have been omitted.
Kayne Pettifer, Daniel Connors and McGuane are the emergencies.
Essendon coach Matthew Knights has swung the axe, dropping Mal Michael, Adam Ramanauskas and Jason Laycock, while Bachar Houli has succumbed to a virus.
But some experienced heads return for the Dons in Adam McPhee, Ricky Dyson, Nathan Lovett-Murray and Jobe Watson.
