Josh Fraser lost his bid to overcome a knee injury in time, but Collingwood are hopeful Anthony Rocca can spearhead the attack against St Kilda in Friday night's crucial round-eight AFL game at Telstra Dome.

Fraser's injury suffered during last weekend's Hall of Fame game gave Chris Bryan his first chance for the season in the ruck, partnering Cameron Wood, against Saints Steven King and Michael Gardiner.

Rocca is also no certainty, after pulling out late from the past two games because of ankle soreness, but coach Mick Malthouse was optimistic his big forward could help the Magpies (eighth) chase a win that would overtake the Saints (fifth).

"We certainly hope he's a bit more advanced than he was last time, I thought he was over the line, but it wasn't to be," Malthouse said.

"Players like that, particularly with that type of injury he's got a screw through the bone, and I guess sometimes they pull up a bit sore the next day, so we'll cross the fingers and hope he doesn't.

"He's 30 years of age, wear and tear, the injury wasn't a good injury from last year. He works very hard, Anthony - contrary to what some people think - he works extremely hard to get right, so we're highly optimistic that he'll play."

St Kilda could not consider injured quartet Nick Riewoldt, Matt Maguire, Xavier Clarke and Steven Baker, but found handy replacements in King and back-up ruckman Jason Blake, fullback Max Hudghton and midfielder Leigh Fisher.

Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews is also banking on an increase in firepower, after skipper Jonathan Brown was one of five inclusions for Saturday night's game against Carlton at Telstra Dome.

Brown missed the Lions' last game with a quad injury, but captained Victoria last weekend and returns aiming to extend an excellent record against Carlton, along with classy midfielders Simon Black and Travis Johnstone and defenders Jason Roe and Josh Drummond.

Matthew Leuenberger, Lachlan Henderson, Cheynee Stiller, Albert Proud and Robert Copeland were all dropped following the loss to Geelong.

Carlton will be without ruck Cameron Cloke (wrist), which grants Cain Ackland his first chance this season, while Richard Hadley returned to play his old side, at David Ellard's expense.

Sydney named midfielder Nick Malceski in their squad for Sunday's game against Essendon, less than three months after he suffered a serious knee injury.

Malceski was expected to miss the entire season after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the pre-season, but after a rapid recovery, was one of four inclusions into the 25-man squad.

The Swans will decide on Friday whether he caps a remarkable comeback, but coach Paul Roos indicated earlier this week Malceski would play in the reserves.

Essendon regained experienced trio Dustin Fletcher, Adam Ramanauskas and Mark McVeigh from injury, which offset the loss of Adam McPhee and Nathan Lovett-Murray to suspension.

Star midfielder Gary Ablett was named to return for the suspended Mathew Stokes for Geelong's game against Richmond on Saturday at the MCG, after a calf injury kept him out of the representative game.

Richmond recalled the experienced Joel Bowden after a lengthy spell in the VFL, along with Graham Polak, and dropped Daniel Jackson and Jay Schulz.

At Hawthorn, Luke Hodge's absence through a hamstring injury was offset by the return of the handy Chance Bateman, back from a broken hand, for the game in Launceston against Port Adelaide, who are unchanged.

North Melbourne made a straight swap in defenders, recalling Josh Gibson to replace Daniel Pratt against West Coast on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.

The Kangaroos dropped Leigh Brown, Scott Thompson and Josh Smith after the loss to Adelaide.

The Eagles brought in Matt Priddis, Mark Seaby, Brent Staker and debutant Ryan Davis to replace the injured Chad Jones, Beau Waters and Jamie McNamara, and dropped Steven Armstrong.

Adelaide added fullback Ben Rutten to their squad for Sunday's game against bottom side Melbourne, while Fremantle again made a slab of changes to play the unchanged Western Bulldogs.

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