Carlton has declared Nick Stevens available for Saturday's AFL match against Sydney at Telstra Dome despite the star midfielder spending time in hospital.

In the latest setback for the struggling Blues, Stevens spent several hours in hospital being treated for an illness, then failed to train.

A club spokesman said he had been hooked up to a drip in an attempt to help him overcome a bout of gastroenteritis.

But the Blues said he would play against the Swans and he was named in the Carlton 22.

However, three players were axed from the bottom-placed side, with Adrian Deluca, Kade Simpson and Simon Wiggins losing their spots.

Underperforming Sydney also wielded the axe, with Matthew Nicks, Jason Saddington, Paul Bevan and Adam Schneider all dropped.

Geelong, coming off a major upset loss against Fremantle at Skilled Stadium last week, was significantly strengthened for Friday night's MCG clash with Collingwood.

The Cats regained tall defenders Tom Harley, from injury, and Cameron Mooney, from suspension, with youngsters Cameron Thurley and Tom Lonergan making way.

The Pies made only one change from the side that beat Hawthorn, with first-year ruckman David Fanning omitted, replaced by Cameron Cloke.

Richmond selected Rory Hilton for his first AFL game of the season, in one of four changes for Saturday's match against top side West Coast at the MCG.

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