Melbourne veteran Bernie Vince has been dropped for the Demons’ AFL clash against St Kilda.

The 32-year-old was omitted along with Tim Smith for Sunday’s encounter with St Kilda at the MCG, with Harrison Petty, who will make his debut, and Sam Weideman going in.

Vince, a veteran of 225 AFL games, has been a fixture in the Demons’ side since crossing from Adelaide at the end of the 2013 season.

The Saints confirmed Irishman Darragh Joyce would make his debut and skipper Jarryn Geary would return when line-ups for Sunday’s games were finalised.

In good news for Essendon, Travis Colyer has overcome a foot injury and will play his first game of the season in Sunday’s late match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Patrick Ambrose is also back for the Bombers, while the Kangaroos regain master tagger Ben Jacobs and Ryan Clarke.

Fremantle have been bolstered by the returns of Alex Pearce and Michael Walters for their clash with Brisbane at Optus Stadium.

Veteran Mitch Robinson is in for the Lions, along with Daniel McStay and Jake Barrett.

Meanwhile, Adelaide’s cursed injury run claimed Cam Ellis-Yolmen for their must-win match against West Coast.

Ellis-Yolmen was among six inclusions for Saturday’s Adelaide Oval clash.

But the Crows ruled the midfielder out on Friday, saying he has a minor quad injury.

Myles Poholke will stay in the side after originally being dropped for the Eagles match.

Vice-captain Rory Sloane has recovered from his foot injury and will play for the first time since round four.

All-Australian Rory Laird (hand) is back and fellow defender Luke Brown (ankle) is also a solid inclusion.

The Crows had to leave out Eddie Betts (hamstring), Andy Otten (achilles) and Sam Gibson (hamstring).

Patrick Wilson and Rory Atkins were dropped, while Curtly Hampton and Darcy Fogarty round out the inclusions.

The Eagles are coming off two losses and have their own injury woes.

Mark LeCras is out because of wrist surgery, while fellow forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling are also injured.

As well as Petty and Joyce, three other players will play their first senior games this weekend, with Brayden Sier named for Collingwood in Saturday’s away clash against Gold Coast.

Geelong have picked Quinton Narkle, and Brad Lynch will make his debut for the Western Bulldogs in Friday night’s Etihad Stadium match.