St Kilda have given Fraser Gehrig another chance and also regained ruckman Michael Gardiner ahead of Saturday night's big AFL match against Richmond at Telstra Dome.

The Saints are stalling on three wins and three losses, while Richmond have shown vastly-improved form over the last three weeks.

Gehrig has missed the last two games, Gardiner has been out since round three with a calf muscle injury and forward Adam Schneider also returns from a hamstring injury for St Kilda.

St Kilda dropped Michael Rix, Leigh Fisher and Jason Blake, whom the Tigers privately thought might tag their in-form star Matthew Richardson.

Earlier this week, Saints coach Ross Lyon revealed Gehrig was struggling with hand problems and admitted the key forward had found it tough to cope with zone defences.

But Gehrig has a strong record against Richmond, who are unchanged.

Collingwood regained captain Scott Burns for his 250th match, as well as key forward Anthony Rocca, for Saturday's match against unbeaten Hawthorn at the MCG.

A calf injury has sidelined Burns for the last three weeks and an ankle problem meant Rocca was a late withdrawal from the thumping Anzac Day win over Essendon.

The Magpies left out Ryan Cook and Sharrod Wellingham and the Hawks will take an unchanged team into the game.

A week after some public criticism of his form from coach Leigh Matthews, Brisbane midfielder Travis Johnstone will miss Saturday's trip to Geelong with a hamstring injury.

He is among four changes as a shoulder injury also forced out James Polkinghorne.

The Lions left out Lachlan Henderson and Scott Harding as they recalled Ashley McGrath, Mitch Clark, Troy Selwood and Albert Proud.

The unbeaten Cats made no changes.

At least six players were named for their AFL debuts this weekend.

Injury-plagued Essendon have already indicated Darcy Daniher, David Myers and Jarrod Atkinson will play against Port Adelaide on Sunday night at Telstra Dome.

Rookie-list midfielder David Ellard was named in Carlton's side for their Subiaco match on Friday night against West Coast.

Saturday night's Adelaide-North Melbourne game could feature two tall newcomers, with 196cm Crow James Sellar and 195cm Kangaroos Josh Smith picked for the game.

The Eagles made four changes, recalling Chad Fletcher, Mark Nicoski, Jaymie Graham and Jamie McNamara.

Daniel Kerr started his three-week suspension, Adam Hunter (knee) and Shannon Hurn (shin) are injured and the Eagles left out Brent Staker.

The Blues lost Adam Hartlett (hamstring) and Bret Thornton (knee), dropped Darren Pfeiffer and also named Setanta O'hAilpin and Simon Wiggins.

Adelaide recalled Kris Massie as Ben Rutten recovers from a back injury and Ken McGregor was dropped.

The Kangaroos named Leigh Brown and Daniel Pratt, with Aaron Edwards nursing a broken leg and Jeff Sinclair and Eddie Sansbury dropped.

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