North Melbourne decided against risking key forward Nathan Thompson and ruckman Hamish McIntosh for Sunday's important AFL clash with Carlton.

Thompson was left out of the squad for the Telstra Dome match after injuring his ankle early in last Sunday's win over the Western Bulldogs.

The `Roos had also been toying with bringing McIntosh straight back into the side after seven games out with a knee injury, with coach Dean Laidley saying earlier in the day he was keen to include him.

"He's one guy we've really spoken about, at the end of the day it will probably be a medical decision, but the coach is pretty keen for him to play," Laidley said.

But he was also not included in the 25-man squad.

The coach was confident the `Roos had enough quality talls without the injured pair, noting developing ruckman Todd Goldstein and utility Leigh Brown had "been doing good things in the VFL".

That duo were both named on an extended bench.

And skipper Adam Simpson will return to the side, after missing two matches with a hip injury.

Carlton had some bright news on the injury front, with defender Paul Bower and small forward Eddie Betts both named on a seven-man bench.

If Bower plays it will be his first game since injuring his shoulder against Geelong in round 10, while Betts missed one game with a hamstring injury.

Collingwood regained midfielder Shane O'Bree from injury for Friday night's AAMI Stadium clash with Port Adelaide, replacing Sharrod Wellingham.

The Power named Matthew Westhoff, the brother of fellow Port player Justin, to make his AFL debut, as well as recalling experienced ruckman Brendon Lade and regaining Travis Boak.

Sydney were boosted for Saturday night's tough task against Geelong at ANZ Stadium, regaining co-captain Leo Barry from a hamstring injury and Amon Buchanan from a four-game suspension.

The Swans also recalled Nick Fosdike, omitting Luke Brennan, Kieren Jack and Patrick Veszpremi.

Running defender Nick Malceski was named as an emergency, after five weeks out with a calf strain.

The Cats named an unchanged side, despite hoping earlier in the week that Paul Chapman would be ready to return from a hamstring injury.

Adelaide named 18-year-old Patrick Dangerfield, who has been playing with Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup, for his first AFL match, against Essendon at Telstra Dome on Saturday.

The Crows also regained Brent Reilly, replacing Bernie Vince (hamstring) and Andrew Otten (dropped).

The Bombers made one change, the experienced Damien Peverill replacing youngster Rhys Magin.

The slumping Western Bulldogs were boosted with the inclusion of hard-working ruckman Ben Hudson, returning from a back injury for Saturday night's Gabba meeting with Brisbane.

They also added youngster Josh Hill, with Stephen Tiller and Peter Street the players to make way.

The Lions, searching to stay in the finals hunt, made three changes, dropping Tim Notting and Lachlan Henderson, while losing Josh Drummond (quad).

They included Joel MacDonald, Matthew Moody and Robert Copeland.

Richmond's dwindling finals hopes received a further blow, with star forward Nathan Brown out with a hip injury for Sunday's MCG clash with Hawthorn.

The Tigers also lost ruckman Adam Pattison (back) and dropped small defender Jake King.

Former Essendon ruckman Tristan Cartledge, elevated from the rookie list, was one of six inclusions in the squad for what would be his first Richmond match.

The Hawks were yet to cut any players from their squad, but Michael Osborne was named on an extended bench to return from a buttock injury.

Fremantle lost star pair Chris Tarrant and Josh Carr to injury for Sunday's Subiaco match against St Kilda.

But the Dockers included Jeff Farmer, back from suspension and Des Headland, who has been out since round four with a knee injury, in their squad, while fullback Antoni Grover returns after missing a game for personal reasons.

The Saints lost Aaron Fiora to suspension and dropped Jarryn Geary from the side that lost to Collingwood last round.

Bottom-placed Melbourne lost experienced ruckman Jeff White to a knee injury, as one of four changes for Saturday's battle with 15th-placed West Coast at the MCG.

Demons football manager Ross Monaghan said it was a minor "wear and tear" issue, with White, who is believed to be in his final season, expected to be fit to play next round.

White's injury meant fellow ruckman Paul Johnson stayed in the side, despite an initial plan to leave him out to have season-ending hip surgery, which has now been set back until late next week.

The Demons were also forced to leave out Lynden Dunn (illness) and Chris Johnson (groin), while dropping Nathan Carroll.

Brad Miller, Daniel Bell and Mark Jamar return from injury, while Michael Newton was recalled.

The Eagles lost some experience, with Ashley Hansen (ankle) and David Wirrpanda (hamstring) both forced out.

Into the side came Brad Ebert and Tony Notte, with Notte the eighth debutant blooded by the club this year.

He will be one of six first-year players in Saturday's team, with Ebert among them.

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