Injury has opened the way for Chris Dawes to be recalled by Collingwood for Friday night’s AFL qualifying final against Hawthorn despite his miserable recent form.

The forced omission of Tyson Goldsack (ankle) meant Dawes returned to rejoin fellow key forward Travis Cloke in the Magpies’ attack for the MCG blockbuster.

Small forward Jarryd Blair returns from a groin injury at the expense of youngster Jamie Elliott.

The Hawks were forced into two changes, a corked calf sidelining classy running player Clinton Young, while defender Brent Guerra is expected to miss the rest of the finals series with a hamstring injury.

Xavier Ellis was recalled after a one-game absence, while Tom Murphy will play his first AFL game since round 17 and just his fifth of the season.

Forward Jack Gunston was retained despite being subbed off with an ankle complaint last round.

Dawes was dropped for last round’s meeting with Essendon after going goal-less in his previous three games and failing to win a single hit-out in his most recent match, against West Coast.

But Collingwood’s struggle to find adequate support for No.1 ruckman Darren Jolly against the Bombers – a role Dawes has filled for most of the year – along with Goldsack’s absence, earned him a reprieve.

It also meant Jackson Paine, the player who replaced Dawes against the Bombers, stayed in.

Adelaide have been boosted by the return of star forward Taylor Walker and midfielder Bernie Vince for Saturday’s AAMI Stadium qualifying final against Sydney, replacing Tom Lynch and Matt Jaensch.

The Swans regained key forward Sam Reid and reliable small defender Nick Smith.

Key backman Heath Grundy is out suspended, meaning Lewis Roberts-Thomson can expect a job on Walker or Kurt Tippett, while former Crow Tony Armstrong was dropped.

Fremantle have called up Alex Silvagni to replace Luke McPharlin (hamstring) for the likely job on Geelong star forward Tom Hawkins in Saturday night’s elimination final at the MCG.

The Dockers also added Kepler Bradley and Matt De Boer, at the expense of Jonathon Griffin and Tom Sheridan.

The Cats’ only change was the suspension of midfield-forward star Steve Johnson, replaced by Jonathan Simpkin for just his fourth AFL game.

He will be one of five Cats playing their first final, along with Taylor Hunt, Steven Motlop, Nathan Vardy and Jordan Murdoch.

Premiership forward Travis Varcoe (foot) remains sidelined.

North Melbourne have welcomed back midfield speedster Daniel Wells and tall defender Nathan Grima from injury for Sunday’s elimination final against West Coast at Patersons Stadium.

The Eagles have regained key defender Eric Mackenzie, dropping Mitch Brown.

Key forward Josh Kennedy kept his spot despite a minor ankle injury.