Melbourne’s hopes of upsetting Essendon in Saturday night’s AFL clash have suffered another blow with defender James Frawley ruled out of the match with a foot injury.

The 2010 All-Australian has been carrying a plantar fascia irritation for several weeks.

Frawley was one of the few shining lights for the Demons in last week’s 58-point loss to Carlton, Melbourne’s ninth defeat in nine outings this season.

James Sellar has been recalled to the side with Cale Morton named as an emergency.

After two weeks out with a knee injury, key defender Nathan Brown is back for Collingwood’s clash with winless Gold Coast at the MCG on Sunday.

The Magpies have recalled Tom Young, with Lachie Keeffe (knee) and Heath Shaw (calf) going out of the side.

Gold Coast regained Luke Russell, Tom Hickey and Aaron Hall for Jeremy Taylor, Seb Tape and 206cm ruckman Zac Smith.

Brisbane will be without promising big man Billy Longer (back), champion on-baller Simon Black (knee) and Elliot Yeo has been dropped for Sunday’s game at the Gabba against competition leaders West Coast.

The Lions have recalled ruckman Ben Hudson, Jared Polec and Niall McKeever.

Ashton Hams and Tom Swift return for the Eagles in place of Luke Shuey (suspended) and Sam Butler (hamstring).

Sydney have dropped 2007 best and fairest runner-up Nick Malceski and big Irishman Tommy Walsh for Tony Armstrong and ruckman Shane Mumford, who has been out for six weeks with a back injury.

The Swans host the Western Bulldogs at the SCG on Sunday, with the Bulldogs regaining Easton Wood, Dylan Addison and Ayce Cordy for Daniel Pearce, Justin Sherman and young key forward Liam Jones.