THOUGH captains Jonathan Brown and Sam Mitchell will return for the Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn in round 16's crucial fixtures, other high-profile players face demotion.
Andrew McLeod and young wingman David Mackay have been recalled by Adelaide for Friday night's big clash with Geelong, with McLeod recovering from knee surgery to play his first game since round 11.
Jason Porplyzia and Tony Armstrong have both been dropped as the Crows look to keep their faint finals hopes alive with an upset of the premiership favourite.
Key pair Joel Corey and Cam Mooney are back for Geelong with Mitch Duncan (omitted) and Darren Milburn (soreness) making way.
Mitchell returns for Hawthorn after missing just one week with a broken hand, however the Hawks have surprisingly dropped fellow midfielder Brad Sewell.
Sewell has struggled to recapture his form of recent seasons, but did play one of his better matches against the Cats last week and kicked an important goal late in the game.
Despite being under a cloud after rolling an ankle on Tuesday, Lance Franklin has been picked for Saturday's clash at Aurora Stadium.
The Hawks meet the Brisbane Lions, which will be bolstered by the return of Brown from an abdominal strain and key defender Matt Maguire from a foot injury.
But the Lions' gains have been tempered by the absence of star ball-winner Simon Black (ankle).
Collingwood forward Leon Davis has overcome a neck injury to be named for the match of the round against St Kilda.
Brent Macaffer has earned a recall, while Josh Fraser and Paul Medhurst must continue to press their claims in the VFL.
John Anthony has been dropped despite the loss of fellow key forward Travis Cloke to suspension and is an emergency with Luke Rounds and Fraser.
St Kilda has named Brendon Goddard and Justin Koschitzke after both were late withdrawals from the side last week, with Sean Dempster and Ben McEvoy omitted.
Essendon has lost Andrew Welsh to a groin injury but regains veteran Dustin Fletcher from suspension. Scott Gumbleton and Jake Melksham will also play against West Coast on Saturday night.
As expected, the Western Bulldogs will be without Barry Hall (ankle) but have selected skipper Brad Johnson for the match against Port Adelaide in Darwin.
Nathan Eagleton and Andrejs Everitt have also forced their way into the 22.
Carlton coach Brett Ratten has made a statement at the selection table after last week's 68-point loss to the Dogs, dropping Setanta O'hAilpin and Brett Thornton for Sunday’s match with the Sydney Swans.
Ryan Houlihan also departs with a knee injury while Jarrad Waite, Shaun Grigg, Marcus Davies, Robbie Warnock, David Ellard and Kane Lucas come into the 25-man squad.
The Swans have added Jesse White, Marty Mattner and Lewis Jetta to an extended bench.
There will be at least three changes for Richmond when it takes on North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, with Ben Cousins among the inclusions.
Fremantle has regained some key players as it looks to bounce back from a disappointing loss when it hosts Melbourne on Sunday.
Luke McPharlin and Nat Fyfe go straight into the starting 18, while Chris Tarrant and Greg Broughton have been named on an expanded bench.
Melbourne has lost young star Jack Trengove to a hip injury, but has added Rohan Bail, Cale Morton, Matthew Warnock and Addam Maric to its squad.
