Geelong star Gary Ablett will on Friday get a fresh chance to build on his Brownlow Medal favouritism, but dual medallist Adam Goodes remains in doubt for Sydney's crunch AFL game against Fremantle.

The Cats named Ablett to play bottom side Melbourne at the MCG after missing three games with an ankle injury, which should provide the midfielder a good start in his build-up to the finals.

Ablett got through training without mishap, and Cats football manager Neil Balme was confident the star would play, after being given one extra week off as a precaution.

"We said yesterday he would play if he pulled up well, so he'll play unless something extraordinary happens," Balme said.

But the prospect of Goodes returning to the SCG on Saturday night is not as certain, as he remains in some doubt because of the groin soreness which kept him out of last Sunday's defeat to the Western Bulldogs.

Swans coach Paul Roos, whose side's hold on fourth spot appears shakier by the week, admitted Goodes and fellow inclusion Leo Barry (hamstring) were yet to prove their fitness given his preference to take on the Dockers with a fully-fit team.

"Tonight we (had) to put our team in before training so we probably can't guarantee it will be as named because we need to look at Leo and Goodesy and (emergency Nick) Malceski and a few others, and hope that they all get through training, but it may change," Roos said.

"Goodesy we're expecting to play at this stage.

"But I think on the weekend what we learnt is having a fitter team gives you a better chance to win ... it's pretty important we don't fall in the trap of picking of unhealthy team. So if they get picked they'll be obviously pretty healthy to play."

Ablett and goalsneak Shannon Byrnes replaced suspended defender Darren Milburn and forward Travis Varcoe, but Melbourne's already difficult task was made tougher through the loss of forward Aaron Davey (foot) and backmen Colin Garland and Daniel Bell (hamstrings).

Collingwood's week of tumult continued when they made five changes for Saturday night's vital game against St Kilda at the MCG, where the loser could drop out of the top eight.

Alan Didak and Heath Shaw have begun their club-imposed suspensions for lying after both were involved in a drink-driving incident last weekend, while Ryan Lonie and Sharrod Wellingham were dropped after the loss to Hawthorn, and Shane O'Bree (hip) is injured.

Veteran defender Shane Wakelin was recalled, but the other four inclusions boast nine games between them - fringe midfielders Danny Stanley and Ryan Cook, and debutantes Chris Dawes, a tall marking forward, and John McCarthy, an onballer.

The Saints regained fullback Max Hudghton from a calf strain, and he replaced midfielder Luke Ball (hamstring).

North Melbourne named skipper Adam Simpson to play the Bulldogs on Sunday after he missed last week's win over the Brisbane Lions with a hip problem.

Forward Nathan Thompson was also named in an expanded squad and could play for the first time since round 15.

The Bulldogs also named an expanded squad.

The Lions made three changes as they attempt to upset Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday.

They added Lachlan Henderson, Tim Notting and James Hawksley to the bench in place of Mitch Clark (quad) and dropped duo Anthony Corrie and Scott Clouston.

Hawthorn named an unchanged side in what will be Shane Crawford's 300th game.

Adelaide named an expanded squad to play Richmond on Sunday, minus forward Jason Porplyzia, who was heavily concussed against Carlton, and midfielder Chris Knights (hamstring).

The Tigers added star Nathan Brown, veteran Greg Tivendale and new ruckman Tristan Cartledge.

Carlton named defender Jason Saddington to play his first game since round 21 last year, against Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

The Power made three changes, and among those recalled was Peter Burgoyne for his first game since round 13 following a bout of injury and then club-imposed suspension.

Essendon named forward Scott Lucas in their squad to play West Coast on Sunday, but he remains in doubt because of back spasms.

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