Geelong have left out star midfielder Gary Ablett for Saturday's AFL pre-season quarter-final against Port Adelaide.

Ablett displayed his top form during the first half of the round-one win over Adelaide, finishing best afield despite a quieter second half.

The Cats will also head to AAMI Stadium for the late-afternoon game without veteran onballer Cameron Ling while forward Steve Johnson remains out of the side.

Joel Corey and Matthew Scarlett are in the squad, but are likely to rest as the Cats manage the workloads of their senior players.

But they will regain ruck-forward Brad Ottens and first-choice defenders Josh Hunt and Darren Milburn.

The Cats have also included Scott Simpson, Brodie Moles and Shane Mumford.

Port's inclusions feature top midfielder Steven Salopek, ruckman Brendon Lade and utility David Rodan.

Paul Stewart, Robert Gray and Nick Salter also come into their squad.

Hawthorn continue to delay the returns of several big players, including several youngsters for the Sunday NAB Cup quarter-final against Carlton at Telstra Dome.

They have named Brent Guerra, as well as new draftee Luke Lowden and rookies Haydn Kiel, Riley Milne and Luke Breust.

Chance Bateman is also in the squad, despite suffering a leg injury in the round-one win over Melbourne, while Ryan Schoenmakers and Michael Osborne were omitted.

Carlton have left out Chris Yarran (ankle) and Matthew Kreuzer and have recalled forward Brad Fisher and Richard Hadley.

Shaun Hampson, Mark Austin and rookie David Ellard are the other inclusions.

Sydney welcome back key forward Barry Hall, Jared Crouch, Luke Ablett and Nick Malceski for Saturday's NAB Challenge match against Melbourne at Princes Park.

Patrick Veszpremi, Irishman Brendan Murphy and new draftee Campbell Heath are also in the squad, but Brett Kirk will not play.

The Demons are still without luckless key position player Jared Rivers, who rolled his ankle in an intraclub game.

But Brent Moloney joins the squad along with several youngsters, including new recruits Jamie Bennett, Neville Jetta and James Strauss.

North Melbourne will have a smaller squad of 24 and Fremantle will bring 25 players to their challenge match on Saturday in Canberra.

Kangaroos captain Brent Harvey will not play, but Adam Simpson is in the squad.

The Dockers have recalled captain Matthew Pavlich and Chris Tarrant, while leaving out Luke McPharlin and Aaron Sandilands.

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