Carlton are set to roll the dice for their biggest game in years with George Hewett, Zac Williams and Adam Cerra all a chance to play in Sunday's AFL blockbuster against Collingwood.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hewett (back) wasn't expected to return until week one of the finals, but with Carlton's top-eight hopes on the line, he has been named in the extended squad to face the Magpies.
Williams (calf) and Tom De Koning have also been named on the extended bench, while Cerra (adductor) is locked in to play after being a late withdrawal last week.
Carlton haven't played finals since 2013, and they may need to beat Collingwood in order to secure their berth.
The Magpies have been boosted by the return of Jordan De Goey (hip flexor), while rising star Jack Ginnivan will play despite being subbed out last week with a hamstring injury.
Fremantle regained skipper Nat Fyfe from a hamstring injury but lost forward Rory Lobb for Saturday's match against GWS in Canberra.
Lobb was subbed out last week with a recurrence of a shoulder injury, and he failed to prove his fitness in time.
The Dockers recalled ruckman Lloyd Meek alongside Fyfe, with Darcy Tucker axed.
GWS recalled Tim Taranto and James Peatling to replace Tanner Bruhn (concussion) and Lachlan Keeffe (groin).
North Melbourne's bid to avoid the wooden spoon was dealt a blow when Jaidyn Stephenson (back), Jack Ziebell (shoulder), Jed Anderson (concussion), Paul Curtis (shoulder) and Jackson Archer (hip) were all ruled out with injury for Saturday's date with Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium.
No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis has been recalled alongside Hugh Greenwood, Jack Mahony, Aiden Bonar and Flynn Perez.
Gold Coast lost in-demand forward Izak Rankine (shoulder) and Sam Day (knee), with Alex Sexton and Hewago Oea named as their replacements.
Geelong recalled Isaac Smith, Mark O'Connor and Esava Ratugolea for their encounter with West Coast on Saturday, with the trio replacing Tom Atkins (managed), Jeremy Cameron (hamstring), and Rhys Stanley (adductor).
West Coast have lost Nic Naitanui (knee), Andrew Gaff (ankle), Jake Waterman (knee), and Brady Hough (illness) for the trip to the Cattery.
Williie Rioli, Tim Kelly, Jai Culley, and Bailey Williams come in to replace them.
Essendon handed retiring veteran Michael Hurley a farewell game in Saturday night's clash with Richmond.
The Tigers brought in Jack Ross for Jack Graham (foot).
Port Adelaide will also be farewelling one of their favourites, with Robbie Gray brought back to play his 271st and final AFL match in Saturday's Showdown against Adelaide.
The Crows welcomed back Wayne Milera to replace Shane McAdam (hamstring).
The farewells will continue on Sunday when St Kilda veteran Dan Hannebery lines up for his final AFL match against his former side Sydney.
The Saints will be without Brad Crouch (suspension), Jimmy Webster (hamstring), Cooper Sharman (quad) and Mason Wood (hand).
The Swans were yet to make any changes to their team.
The Western Bulldogs confirmed forward Josh Bruce will return for Sunday's match against Hawthorn in Tasmania.
The Hawks lost Jarman Impey (foot) to injury and dropped Jacob Koschitzke.
Both Brisbane and Melbourne enter Friday night's match at the Gabba with unchanged sides.
Australian Associated Press
