The career of Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric is at the crossroads after he was dumped from the Tigers' team to face Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night.
Maric, 30, is one of four players to lose their place in Damien Hardwick's struggling side. Backman David Astbury has also been chopped, while Trent Cotchin (cheekbone) and Kane Lambert (ribs) are forced omissions. Ben Griffiths, Kamdyn McIntosh, Nick Vlastuin and Jayden Short have been recalled as Richmond look to snap a five-match losing streak.
Maric missed the opening four rounds of the season with a back injury. The veteran is among a host of Tigers whose contracts expire at season's end.
The Hawks have named Kaiden Brand for his senior debut. Brand replaces James Frawley in defence, with the former Melbourne star out with concussion. Midfielders Will Langford and Billy Hartung are both inclusions, named at the expense of captain Luke Hodge (knee) and Kieran Lovell (omitted).
Collingwood have dropped premiership defender Nathan Brown for Saturday's clash with Carlton at the MCG. Ben Sinclair (concussion) and Tom Langdon (ankle) also make way for the Magpies, who have selected teenager Ben Crocker for his first senior game. James Aish and Jesse White are both named to return after their recent axings. Travis Cloke is one of the emergencies.
The resurgent Blues welcome back Andrew Walker, Andrejs Everitt and Patrick Cripps. Nick Graham has again been dropped, while Andrew Phillips and Jacob Weitering miss with hamstring and shoulder injuries respectively.
Nathan Grima is set to play his first AFL game since September 2014 after being picked in Essendon's side to face Sydney at the SCG on Saturday. The former North Melbourne defender - one of the Dons' 10 top-up players - is one of five inclusions for the daunting trip north. Vice-captain Mark Baguley returns, as do Shaun McKernan and Craig Bird, while Mason Redman has been picked to make his debut.
Sam Grimley and Martin Gleeson have been dropped, Darcy Parish and Kyle Langford are being rested, and Mathew Stokes is out with a hamstring injury.
The Swans have made just a single change. All-Australian defender Nick Smith is back, with Aliir Aliir dropped.
St Kilda have overlooked former No. 1 draft pick Paddy McCartin for Sunday's date with North Melbourne, who have named promoted rookies Majak Daw and Robin Nahas - the latter of whom was elevated on Thursday - on their seven-man bench.
The Brisbane Lions have named star midfielder Dayne Beams for his first game of the season. Beams was expected to miss the first half of the season with knee tendinitis, but has been selected as rover for Sunday's match against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.
