For Carlton, it is a classic good news, bad news scenario ahead of the weekend likely to decide their realistic hopes of making the AFL finals.
The Blues have regained Jarrad Waite from a month out, but in-form ruckman Matthew Kreuzer won’t play against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday with a calf injury.
Waite suffered a knee injury last month against Collingwood and has not played since.
But the Blues have named the forward among four changes to their side.
Kreuzer and midfielder Andrew Carrazzo are out injured, while onballers Mitch Robinson and Kane Lucas have been omitted.
Robbie Warnock fills the ruck breach for the Blues.
Ninth-placed Carlton desperately need to keep winning and hope for results elsewhere to go their way to bridge the two-win gap between them and the top eight.
Geelong defender Jared Rivers has been named for just his fourth match of the season after a long absence with a knee injury.
The Melbourne recruit has not played since round five, but has been named for the Cats’ clash with Port Adelaide at Simonds Stadium on Saturday among five changes.
Ruckmen Trent West and Mark Blicavs are among those dispensed with following the Cats’ round 19 loss to North Melbourne.
Port defender Nathan Blee replaces injured Paul Stewart in the only change from the side which stunned Adelaide with a come-from-the-clouds win last weekend.
While Hawthorn have lost stars Lance Franklin and Luke Hodge to injury for Friday night’s clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, the Saints have made five changes.
Among those left out is small forward Ahmed Saad, who is awaiting news on an irregular drug sample.
The club says he has a leg injury.
Richmond have recalled Ty Vickery for Saturday’s match against Brisbane at the MCG after he missed the Hawthorn win last weekend with concussion.
West Coast have also recalled stars Matt Priddis, Mark LeCras and Chris Masten from injury to play Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Bombers forward Jason Winderlich is among his side’s changes.
Fremantle have brought back skipper Matthew Pavlich from suspension for their home clash with GWS, while Clancee Pearce is out with a calf injury.