Hawthorn defender Jarman Impey is a chance to play his first AFL game since round 14 last year after being named in the Hawks' squad to face St Kilda.
Impey has been selected on an extended bench for Sunday's clash after having recovered from a serious ankle injury.
But Hawthorn will be without dynamite forward Chad Wingard, who has been struggling with calf tightness.
St Kilda have handed a debut to Marcus Windhager, meaning the Saints will field a club-record seven Indigenous players in their team.
A Next Generation Academy selection in last year's draft, Windhager is an explosive midfielder whom the Saints have high hopes for.
Richmond's flagging fortunes have received a boost with star midfielder Dion Prestia making a quicker-than-expected recovery from a hamstring injury.
Veteran forward Jack Riewoldt (finger) is also back for the Tigers' crunch clash with the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Saturday night.
Due to Prestia's history with soft-tissue injuries, it was assumed the triple premiership player would miss more than two weeks.
The Bulldogs have brought in former Hawthorn utility Tim O'Brien for his first game for the club after his off-season switch.
Geelong have recalled tagger Mark O'Connor as the Cats look to put the clamps down on Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale in a Friday night blockbuster at GMHBA Stadium.
Veteran midfielder Shaun Higgins (concussion) joins Geelong captain Joel Selwood (rested) on the sidelines.
Battling West Coast get crucial trio Willie Rioli, Liam Duggan and Tom Barrass back for Saturday's clash with Collingwood, but the Eagles will be without injured pair Andrew Gaff and Sam Petrevski-Seton.
Adelaide will be boosted by the return of captain Rory Sloane, along with suspended forward Taylor Walker, as they prepare for Sunday's match against Essendon.
Forgotten Sydney big man Sam Reid comes in for his first game since round 22 last year as the Swans host North Melbourne at the SCG on Saturday.
Former Port Adelaide ruck-forward Peter Ladhams will get his first opportunity with the Swans following Tom Hickey's knee injury against the Bulldogs last week.
GWS have suffered a blow ahead of their clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium, losing star defender Nick Haynes to an ankle injury.
The Giants are optimistic Haynes will only miss one week and be ready to return for an Easter Saturday showdown against Melbourne at the MCG.
Promising forward Jake Riccardi has been recalled in place of Haynes after being dropped for last week's win against Gold Coast.
