Geelong has received mixed news as they try to quickly regroup from the scale of last Friday night's 86-point AFL belting from Collingwood.

The reigning premiers finally regained Brad Ottens from the foot injury that has sidelined him since March, but could not consider fellow premiership players Paul Chapman and Josh Hunt for Saturday night's Telstra Dome game against Carlton.

Chapman was a late withdrawal from Friday night's disaster, while Hunt suffered a shoulder injury during the match.

"He was keen to play, he trained okay and he should be okay next week - it's definitely not a bad hamstring injury," Cats football manager Neil Balme said of Chapman.

"We're just being conservative with him."

Coach Mark Thompson said earlier this week Ottens would finally return to the senior side and stressed that Geelong would ease the ruck-forward back into the intensity of the AFL.

The Cats have made no secret of Ottens' importance to the structure of their side.

They made three changes, naming Shannon Byrnes and Max Rooke for Trent West and Ryan Gamble.

Carlton also made three changes, naming 21-year-old midfielder Dennis Armfield for his senior debut.

Cameron Cloke and Bret Thornton are set to return from injury, but Jarrad Waite is suspended and Jake Edwards and Darren Pfeiffer were dropped.

Hawthorn also had some good and bad selection news ahead of their much-anticipated AFL match against the Western Bulldogs.

They will regain Jordan Lewis, but when Shane Crawford returns is a mystery.

The unbeaten Hawks and third-placed Bulldogs made one change apiece for their big match this Saturday at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

Lewis was a late withdrawal from Sunday's narrow win over Melbourne with a corked thigh and he will return for Stuart Dew, who has a hamstring injury.

Crawford also missed the Melbourne game through suspension, but he would have missed the game anyway due to knee swelling.

The Bulldogs' speedy midfield will test the Hawks, who will be without Luke Hodge (hamstring, appendix).

Football manager Mark Evans made it clear Crawford was no chance of being fit for the Bulldogs match.

"He did some different training today, we're giving the knee a chance to settle down and see how it progresses," Evans said.

"We will judge it session by training session."

The Bulldogs recalled Stephen Tiller and left out Cameron Wight.

Ruckman Peter Street, whom coach Rodney Eade talked up on Wednesday, was named as an emergency.

Essendon's Scott Lucas has been out since round one with a knee injury and he will boost the Bombers' attack as they try to stop a six-game losing streak.

Bachar Houli will also return for Friday night's AAMI Stadium game against Adelaide, but Darcy Daniher (back) and Jobe Watson (knee) are unavailable.

The Crows made no changes.

The Magpies made no changes for Saturday's MCG match against West Coast, who regain Daniel Kerr from suspension and recalled Beau Waters.

Chris Masten is out with general soreness and the Eagles left out Ryan Davis.

There was only one change for Brisbane's home game this Saturday night against North Melbourne.

The Kangaroos had to leave out Daniel Wells (knee) and named 20-year-old Gavin Urquhart for his AFL debut.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP