Desperate to avoid a sixth consecutive loss, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has lost patience with tall forward Jesse White and goalsneak Jarryd Blair, with the pair dropped among four changes at the Westpac Centre for Saturday's clash with Melbourne.
The omissions at the Magpies are among the features of the round 18 teams named on Thursday night, with the imminent Essendon debut of much-publicised ruckman Jonathan Giles another highlight.
While versatile tall Ben Reid will remain in the VFL for another week, the Pies have named small forward Jamie Elliott to return from a back injury in place of Blair, who has been dropped for the first time since round 11, 2011.
The struggling White also makes way, as does Ben Kennedy, while Adam Oxley has been rested.
Midfielder Taylor Adams is back from suspension, while Paul Seedsman has also been included.
The Magpies haven't won since beating Greater Western Sydney in round 11.
The Demons have made one change, with Alex Neal-Bullen included at the expense of Billy Stretch.
Having ignored calls to name him for more than a month, the Bombers have at last decided to pick Giles, with the former Giant named in the ruck for the Dons' match against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday. Giles, 27, has been named in place of Shaun McKernan, while former Bulldog Adam Cooney, Jake Melksham, and Jake Carlisle - who has been in the sights of the Dogs - all joining Giles in being picked on the field.
Essendon coach James Hird said Giles had been included as a result of strong VFL form, adding that he wanted Giles "just to give a contest."
"Jon's been with us for nine months now and we've been impressed with his improvement," Hird told the club's website.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what he's got."
However Hird said that former Adelaide player McKernan won't play in the VFL either, needing a rest due to his heavy load.
"He's a bit banged up and needs a bit of a rest," Hird said.
The Bulldogs have added Tom Boyd, Sam Darley and Lin Jong to their extended bench.
Geelong have replaced one exciting youngster with another for Saturday's match against the Brisbane Lions at Simonds Stadium. Nakia Cockatoo returns for his first game since round six, with Corey Gregson missing as his first-year workload is managed.
Carlton caretaker coach John Barker has made four changes to the side that suffered the Blues' heaviest-ever defeat last weekend against Hawthorn, with former Bulldog Liam Jones dropped again only a week after returning from a seven-week spell in the VFL. Brad Walsh and Blaine Johnson have also been omitted, joining Nick Holman who missed through suspension.
The Blues have recalled Troy Menzel, Andrew Carrazzo, Clem Smith and Cameron Wood to face an unchanged North Melbourne side at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night - in what will be former Carlton forward Jarrad Waite's 200th game.
Fremantle are in line to play as many as three debutants, with Lachie Weller, Ed Langdon and Connor Blakely - none of whom have played an AFL game - named on the Dockers' extended bench for Sunday's match against GWS in Perth. They are joined by the recalled Zac Dawson, Zac Clarke and Tendai Mzungu. The Dockers have cut Matt Taberner and Clancee Pearce from the side team that narrowly overcame Richmond last Saturday, while Nat Fyfe misses as expected with a groin complaint. Giants captain Phil Davis is among six inclusions for Leon Cameron's side. Davis has been sidelined since round 11 with an ankle injury.
