LUKE Hodge, Steven Baker and Joel Selwood are among the big-name inclusions for the first week of the finals, but Collingwood full-back Simon Prestigiacomo has not reclaimed his place.

St Kilda has rushed Baker back into its starting 18 for Friday night's qualifying final against Geelong at the MCG, with coach Ross Lyon making three changes to the line-up.

Baker has missed nine weeks through suspension, incurred for striking Cat Steve Johnson when the two clubs last met, but has also battled a fractured toe in recent weeks.

However, it appears the two players will meet again on Friday, with Baker proving his fitness.

Stephen Milne and Adam Schneider also return after a week's rest, with Sean Dempster, David Armitage and Luke Miles making way.

Geelong has brought back premiership players Selwood, Corey Enright and Josh Hunt at the expense of youngsters Simon Hogan, Taylor Hunt and Daniel Menzel.

Shannon Byrnes, who missed last week with a virus, did not force his way back into the 22 but is an emergency.

Fremantle will hope youthful exuberance helps it in its elimination final against Hawthorn, with Mark Harvey opting to leave out retiring veteran Paul Hasleby for his side's home final.

Harvey has brought in Ryan Crowley for some toughness around the packs, but youngsters Alex Silvagni and Jesse Crichton get their chance to impress in the club's biggest match for several years.

Freo has lost Hayden Ballantyne (foot) while Jay van Berlo is the other omission.

Hawthorn regains spiritual leader Hodge, with the vice-captain having proved his fitness at training this week.

The star playmaker missed last week's win over the Pies with a knee injury, but will replace forward Rhan Hooper who is out with general soreness.

Prestigiacomo has not played for Collingwood since suffering a severely corked thigh against Essendon in round 20 and has failed to come up for the qualifying final against the Dogs.

Alan Didak had been under an injury cloud with a shoulder complaint but comes into the side along with Leigh Brown and Ben Johnson.

It may well be a case of '200 and out' for Josh Fraser. The ruckman, John McCarthy and Tyson Goldsack depart the side defeated by the Hawks, though all three have been named as emergencies.

As expected, the Western Bulldogs have named Ryan Griffen despite lingering concerns over a knee injury, with a call to be made on his fitness at the last minute.

Brad Johnson has proved he is over his achilles tendon soreness and comes into the team with Will Minson, Shaun Higgins and Easton Wood.

Brodie Moles, Andrejs Everitt and Liam Jones have been dropped while Jordan Roughead is out with a shoulder injury. Tim Callan is an emergency along with Moles and elevated rookie Andrew Hooper.

The Sydney Swans regain Shane Mumford, Tadhg Kennelly and newly-crowned NAB AFL Rising Star Daniel Hannebery for Sunday's elimination final against the Blues.

Matt O'Dwyer has also been named in the 25-man squad with Brett Meredith (hip) the only omission.

Carlton has made a change to its ruck division with Sam Jacobs favoured over Shaun Hampson. Shaun Grigg is out with a calf injury with Richard Hadley, Steven Browne, Andrew Walker and Joe Anderson named on an extended bench.

The views in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.

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