Carlton and Geelong have regained key players for Friday’s crucial round-11 AFL clash but Blues forward Jarrad Waite is no closer to returning from a serious back injury.
Defending premiers Geelong have named 31-year-old defender David Wojcinski for his 200th game and first this year after battling injury and serving a VFL suspension.
Joel Corey, Corey Enright and Tom Hawkins also return along with second-year player Steven Motlop for the game at Etihad Stadium.
The Cats have dumped five members of their younger brigade, with Jesse Stringer, Tom Gillies, Billie Smedts, Jordan Schroder and Lincoln McCarthy making way.
Waite’s return date to Carlton’s forward line is officially listed as two weeks but doubts remain over the 29-year-old’s ability to make a quick recovery from a back complaint.
Waite has been on a course of epidural injections more commonly used to help patients cope with the severe pain of childbirth.
“It seized up after the St Kilda game. It’s pretty much been four weeks now, and it hasn’t recovered as quickly as what we’d hoped,” Waite told carltonfc.com.au website on Thursday.
“I had an epidural on Monday. I’ve had two in three weeks.
“I’m feeling a lot better this week. I can actually walk around and don’t look like an 80-year-old man (but) it’s very much a day-to-day thing.”
Knowing that a fourth loss in five games would put them in danger of tumbling out of the eight, Carlton have regained ruck/forward Matthew Kreuzer and halfbacks Lachie Henderson and Nick Duigan.
The Blues have left out Ed Curnow, Paul Bower and injured defender Heath Scotland (calf).
Fremantle, on a three-game losing streak, dumped Paul Duffield and forwards Zac Clarke and Jack Anthony.
The 11th-placed Dockers regain Adam McPhee, Nic Suban and ruckman Jon Griffin for Saturday’s game against the in-form Richmond at the MCG.
McPhee has been out for three weeks with a calf injury.
Richmond will be without Jake King (suspended) and on-baller Nathan Foley (leg), while Matt Dea and debutant Brett O’Hanlon, an 18-year-old from Dandenong Stingrays, come into the side.
St Kilda are unchanged for Saturday’s game at Gold Coast against the Suns, while the home side have recalled ex-Lion Jared Brennan after three games in the reserves.
Josh Toy, Brandon Matera and Seb Tape also return for the Suns.
Dyson Heppell and Cale Hooker return to bolster second-placed Essendon’s backline for Saturday night’s match at Etihad Stadium against Sydney.
The Bombers also regain David Myers. Tayte Pears (knee), Travis Colyer and Nathan Lovett-Murray have been left out.
Sydney included Andrejs Everitt and Nick Malceski on their bench in place of Luke Parker (shoulder) and Ben McGlynn (suspended).
Midfield gun Travis Boak (foot) is unavailable for Port Adelaide as they take on Hawthorn at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
Port have recalled Tom Logan, Aaron Young, Cameron Hitchcock and John McCarthy to their squad.
The Hawks included Thomas Murphy, Stephen Gilham, Jack Gunston and debutant Taylor Duryea, 21, while Jordan Lewis is suspended.
Collingwood recalled Darren Jolly, Chris Tarrant and Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan in a 25-man squad for Monday’s game against Melbourne at the MCG.
Champion midfielder Scott Pendlebury (leg) is the only confirmed change so far.
Melbourne recalled Matthew Bate, Rohan Bail and James Frawley in their squad.
Adelaide, Brisbane, Greater Western Sydney, North Melbourne, West Coast and Western Bulldogs have byes.