Richmond and Carlton have received significant boosts to their ruck stocks, with Toby Nankervis and Matthew Kreuzer returning to go head-to-head in Sunday’s clash at the MCG.
Nankervis will play his first AFL match since an adductor injury suffered in round eight, while Kreuzer returns after two weeks out with a hip complaint.
Tigers cult hero Sydney Stack is also back, with the Blues regaining Dale Thomas, Liam Jones and Mitch McGovern, who has completed a mini pre-season to regain physical conditioning.
Angus Schumacher, Andrew Phillips, Matthew Kennedy and Hugh Goddard were all dropped from the Carlton side defeated by West Coast.
Ivan Soldo and Dan Butler didn’t make the cut for Richmond.
Jack Steven, Dan Hannebery, Blake Acres, Ben Paton and Jack Newnes were added to St Kilda’s team for Sunday’s match against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.
Steven will play his first game since taking a mental health break after round six and Hannebery will make just his third senior appearance for the Saints.
The Dockers have stuck with the same 22 that shocked ladder leaders Geelong last week.
The Eagles made two changes as they prepare to host Adelaide at Optus Stadium, bringing in Jamie Cripps and Mark Hutchings at the expense of Chris Masten and Jarrod Cameron.
Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs has been given the opportunity to win his lead ruck role back from Reilly O’Brien, the veteran replacing his understudy who was omitted.
Jacobs underwent minor knee surgery after round two but has been kept out of the AFL side by the strong play of O’Brien for the past two months.